as in shortage
a falling short of an essential or desirable amount or number
a growing deficit in the number of hours devoted to sleep
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Recent Examples of deficit
The Marlins cut the deficit in half in the fourth inning when Dodgers shortstop Hyeseong Kim committed an error on a ground ball from Javier Sanoja that allowed Otto Lopez to score.
—
Miami Herald, 28 Apr. 2026
Last year’s deficit-to-GDP was roughly 6%, growing about three times faster than the economy itself.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 28 Apr. 2026
Such symptoms often impair a patient’s quality of life as much as, or even more than, the primary neurological deficits.
—Eric J. Nestler, STAT, 28 Apr. 2026
The 2023 Celtics were the last team to even a series after a three-game deficit.
—Los Angeles Times, 28 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for deficit
Miami Herald, 28 Apr. 2026
Last year’s deficit-to-GDP was roughly 6%, growing about three times faster than the economy itself.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 28 Apr. 2026
Such symptoms often impair a patient’s quality of life as much as, or even more than, the primary neurological deficits.
—Eric J. Nestler, STAT, 28 Apr. 2026
The 2023 Celtics were the last team to even a series after a three-game deficit.
—Los Angeles Times, 28 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for deficit
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deficit
Noun
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That means there will be no shortage of motivation in these final weeks, and their key players should continue to play every minute despite their run to the semi-finals of the Europa League.—
Abdul Rehman,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
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That’s just one example of what more than three decades of chronic school funding shortages under Colorado’s decades-old spending cap has led to.—
Kevin Vick,
Denver Post,
26 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Goldman Sachs estimated that Qatar could see its GDP plunge by 14%, citing its lack of alternative export channels to the blockaded Strait of Hormuz.—
Kelsey Warner,
semafor.com,
29 Apr. 2026
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This Fire sign is, after all, notorious for its lack of a filter… and the 24-year-old singer just so happens to have her sun, Venus and Pluto here.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
29 Apr. 2026
Noun
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While many people get enough potassium from a balanced diet, some are more prone to a potassium deficiency.—
BestReviews,
Mercury News,
24 Apr. 2026
-
The Texas health department outlined the issues in an emergency plan deficiency letter in response to the camp’s application for a license to reopen.—
Marlene Lenthang,
NBC news,
24 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Deficit.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deficit. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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