as in shortages
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 deficits
Washington has run large deficits without spooking the bond market for years.
—
Annie Lowrey, The Atlantic, 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
One of those was ended by a grand slam in the 12th inning of a game in which the Padres came back from three one-run deficits.
—Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Apr. 2026
After being out-skated early, the Ducks settled into their skates, surmounting both shot and goal to deficits to run the shot count to 24-17 and even the score, 2-2, through 40 minutes.
—Andrew Knoll, Oc Register, 27 Apr. 2026
That year, Denver became the first team in NBA history to overcome multiple 3-1 series deficits in a single postseason — against the Utah Jazz in the first round, then against the LA Clippers in the second round.
—The Athletic Staff, New York Times, 26 Apr. 2026
No longer facing annual deficits, the city has amassed a reserve fund of about $54 million.
—Sierra Lopez, Mercury News, 26 Apr. 2026
The celebration comes amid uncertainty over funding for the arts due to budget deficits and politics.
—James Taylor, CBS News, 21 Apr. 2026
The latest Stantec Financial Sustainability Plan Updates for the city’s general fund show deficits starting at $11 million in Fiscal Year 2027 and going up to $76 million by FY 2035.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 20 Apr. 2026
Annie Lowrey, The Atlantic, 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
One of those was ended by a grand slam in the 12th inning of a game in which the Padres came back from three one-run deficits.
—Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Apr. 2026
After being out-skated early, the Ducks settled into their skates, surmounting both shot and goal to deficits to run the shot count to 24-17 and even the score, 2-2, through 40 minutes.
—Andrew Knoll, Oc Register, 27 Apr. 2026
That year, Denver became the first team in NBA history to overcome multiple 3-1 series deficits in a single postseason — against the Utah Jazz in the first round, then against the LA Clippers in the second round.
—The Athletic Staff, New York Times, 26 Apr. 2026
No longer facing annual deficits, the city has amassed a reserve fund of about $54 million.
—Sierra Lopez, Mercury News, 26 Apr. 2026
The celebration comes amid uncertainty over funding for the arts due to budget deficits and politics.
—James Taylor, CBS News, 21 Apr. 2026
The latest Stantec Financial Sustainability Plan Updates for the city’s general fund show deficits starting at $11 million in Fiscal Year 2027 and going up to $76 million by FY 2035.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 20 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deficits
Noun
-
But the shortages of Patriot defense systems remain a concern amid reports that the Pentagon is considering diverting advanced defensive weapons earmarked for Ukraine to the Middle East.—
Sudarsan Raghavan,
New Yorker,
28 Apr. 2026
-
In 2022, my final year in office, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine sent fertilizer prices surging several-fold, and farmers across Central America—and around the world—saw production costs spike almost overnight, raising fears of food shortages.—
Carlos Alvarado Quesada,
Fortune,
27 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Dipping into 2027 draft capital to make a fifth-round selection in a draft that Schneider has repeatedly said lacks depth is a surprising move.—
Michael-Shawn Dugar,
New York Times,
25 Apr. 2026
-
Industrial composting sites—big, regionalized facilities that can churn out large volumes of organic waste—are designed to speed up the composting process using heat, moisture, and carbon control, things that a simple countertop compost container lacks.—
Francesca Krempa,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
23 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
But his athletic deficiencies could be tough to overcome.—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
30 Apr. 2026
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Britt Eastland said Camp Mystic would correct those deficiencies soon and has made several other safety changes.—
Ashley Killough,
CNN Money,
29 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Deficits.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deficits. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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