shortfall

noun

Definition of shortfallnext
as in deficiency
formal a failure to get what is expected or needed a shortfall in milk production profit shortfalls

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Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of shortfall Social Security actuaries calculate that eliminating the wage cap (without those taxes accruing additional benefits) would keep the system out of deficit for just three years and close only about half of its long-term shortfall. — Jessica Riedl, The Atlantic, 6 July 2026 The budget shortfall has been exacerbated by a decline in births and a reduction of immigration, resulting in fewer taxpayers at the same time that many Baby Boomers have begun receiving benefits. — Max Zahn, ABC News, 2 July 2026 Regan declined to rule out future taxes on billionaires to plug what SEIU-UHW estimates to be an annual $20 billion shortfall caused by federal cuts. — Ben Paviour july 2, Sacbee.com, 2 July 2026 The bloc’s goods deficit with China grew 15% to €360 billion ($410 billion) last year, with all 27 member states experiencing a shortfall, and expanded to €98 billion in the first quarter, the highest since 2022. — Anniek Bao,evelyn Cheng, CNBC, 2 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for shortfall
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shortfall
  1. deficiency
  2. deficit
Noun
  • The Lakers spent the first days of free agency addressing their shooting deficiencies.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 4 July 2026
  • Interveinal chlorosis and yellowing in new leaves can indicate an iron deficiency.
    — Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 3 July 2026
Definition of deficiency
Noun
  • After trailing by as many as 16 points, the Bucks cut the deficit to five early in the third quarter and tied the game midway through the fourth.
    — Jason Anderson, Sacbee.com, 7 July 2026
  • When oil has fallen 40%, inflation gauges are likely peaking and the Federal government is still running a deficit of 6% of GDP, there's not a lot of low-hanging fruit for a bear to feast on.
    — Michael Santoli, CNBC, 7 July 2026
Definition of deficit

Browse Nearby Words

shortens
shortfall
shortfalls
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Cite this Entry

“Shortfall.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shortfall. Accessed 10 Jul. 2026.

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