as in deficiencies
formal
a failure to get what is expected or needed
a shortfall in milk production profit shortfalls
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Recent Examples of shortfalls
Raman and Councilmember Katy Yaroslavsky warned the project was too financially risky and would saddle the city with significant budget shortfalls starting in 2031 — after Bass is out of office.
—
David Zahniser, Los Angeles Times, 11 Feb. 2026
Fransein’s experiences as chief judge led her to identify training and education as important factors in addressing shortfalls in legal representation.
—Raynee Howell, Oklahoma Watch, 9 Feb. 2026
Yet under this administration, deficits persist, shortfalls continue, the state’s credit outlook has weakened and costs are increasingly passed down to families through higher taxes and fees.
—J.b. Jennings, Baltimore Sun, 5 Feb. 2026
Over the past two decades, San Jose has resolved more than $800 million in shortfalls primarily by slashing services and reducing its city workforce, earning it the distinction of having the lowest number of full-time employees per capita among the state’s largest cities.
—Devan Patel, Mercury News, 4 Feb. 2026
Pharmacies blame manufacturing shortfalls.
—Laura Trujillo, USA Today, 3 Feb. 2026
This year, with elections looming, lawmakers might be tempted to make up shortfalls from politically motivated mistakes by short-changing programs that benefit Florida’s most vulnerable residents.
—Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 31 Jan. 2026
Austin Energy’s recently released 2035 plan also highlights the risk, noting that adding local, dispatchable generation would help protect customers from energy shortfalls and volatile market prices once Fayette is no longer part of the utility’s portfolio.
—Chaya Tong, Austin American Statesman, 30 Jan. 2026
These shortfalls are expected to last through late 2027, according to some estimates.
—Dylan Butts, CNBC, 27 Jan. 2026
David Zahniser, Los Angeles Times, 11 Feb. 2026
Fransein’s experiences as chief judge led her to identify training and education as important factors in addressing shortfalls in legal representation.
—Raynee Howell, Oklahoma Watch, 9 Feb. 2026
Yet under this administration, deficits persist, shortfalls continue, the state’s credit outlook has weakened and costs are increasingly passed down to families through higher taxes and fees.
—J.b. Jennings, Baltimore Sun, 5 Feb. 2026
Over the past two decades, San Jose has resolved more than $800 million in shortfalls primarily by slashing services and reducing its city workforce, earning it the distinction of having the lowest number of full-time employees per capita among the state’s largest cities.
—Devan Patel, Mercury News, 4 Feb. 2026
Pharmacies blame manufacturing shortfalls.
—Laura Trujillo, USA Today, 3 Feb. 2026
This year, with elections looming, lawmakers might be tempted to make up shortfalls from politically motivated mistakes by short-changing programs that benefit Florida’s most vulnerable residents.
—Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 31 Jan. 2026
Austin Energy’s recently released 2035 plan also highlights the risk, noting that adding local, dispatchable generation would help protect customers from energy shortfalls and volatile market prices once Fayette is no longer part of the utility’s portfolio.
—Chaya Tong, Austin American Statesman, 30 Jan. 2026
These shortfalls are expected to last through late 2027, according to some estimates.
—Dylan Butts, CNBC, 27 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shortfalls
Noun
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Common causes for both include stress, hormonal changes, and nutritional deficiencies.—
Rebecca Strong,
USA Today,
10 Feb. 2026
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Those facilities could be ordered to close, too, if the deficiencies identified aren’t addressed within the next few months.—
Jason Henry,
Daily News,
8 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Several members of the Education Committee and the Connecticut Education Association are in favor of the ban, saying that a phone-free environment is needed as unlimited access to cellphones has created academic deficits.—
Livi Stanford,
Hartford Courant,
11 Feb. 2026
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Californians know a single strong storm can improve the state’s snowpack and back-to-back systems could wipe out deficits.—
Monica Garske,
USA Today,
10 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Shortfalls.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shortfalls. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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