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
O'Hara has met with Lussier's family, acknowledging shortfalls but also pointing out that staffing levels and caseloads placed an extraordinary burden on officers at the time.
—
Conor Wight, CBS News, 24 Apr. 2026
For West Coast travelers, the near-term risks are sustained higher prices and airline schedule adjustments—not the physical shortfalls that Europe is facing.
—Jordan Blum, Fortune, 24 Apr. 2026
The country’s pullout leaves the Met facing a $30 million deficit as of July 31, the end of its fiscal year, and potentially greater shortfalls beyond that.
—News Desk, Artforum, 24 Apr. 2026
With the city facing multi-year budget shortfalls, building a grandiose and unpopular monument makes little sense when far less expensive alternatives exist.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 20 Apr. 2026
Budgetary shortfalls have beset other large cities such as San Francisco and Los Angeles.
—Ishani Desai, Sacbee.com, 20 Apr. 2026
While defeating the two measures has relieved many property owners in South Hadley, budget shortfalls due to dwindling state aid and fading federal pandemic-era funds are causing local governments to search high and low for new sources of funding.
—Tim Dunn, Boston Herald, 15 Apr. 2026
Russia has reduced gold holdings in recent months, likely to help finance budget shortfalls, while Ghana has also sold reserves to boost foreign currency liquidity, data from Metals Focus showed.
—Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 14 Apr. 2026
Looming threats of power shortfalls in Illinois in the next five years will also be a factor.
—Carolyn Stein, Chicago Tribune, 14 Apr. 2026
Conor Wight, CBS News, 24 Apr. 2026
For West Coast travelers, the near-term risks are sustained higher prices and airline schedule adjustments—not the physical shortfalls that Europe is facing.
—Jordan Blum, Fortune, 24 Apr. 2026
The country’s pullout leaves the Met facing a $30 million deficit as of July 31, the end of its fiscal year, and potentially greater shortfalls beyond that.
—News Desk, Artforum, 24 Apr. 2026
With the city facing multi-year budget shortfalls, building a grandiose and unpopular monument makes little sense when far less expensive alternatives exist.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 20 Apr. 2026
Budgetary shortfalls have beset other large cities such as San Francisco and Los Angeles.
—Ishani Desai, Sacbee.com, 20 Apr. 2026
While defeating the two measures has relieved many property owners in South Hadley, budget shortfalls due to dwindling state aid and fading federal pandemic-era funds are causing local governments to search high and low for new sources of funding.
—Tim Dunn, Boston Herald, 15 Apr. 2026
Russia has reduced gold holdings in recent months, likely to help finance budget shortfalls, while Ghana has also sold reserves to boost foreign currency liquidity, data from Metals Focus showed.
—Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 14 Apr. 2026
Looming threats of power shortfalls in Illinois in the next five years will also be a factor.
—Carolyn Stein, Chicago Tribune, 14 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shortfalls
Noun
-
The war also revealed deficiencies in Russia’s conventional ground and air forces.—
Stephen Clark,
ArsTechnica,
23 Apr. 2026
-
An inspector also noted physical deficiencies like equipment in need of repair.—
Lillie Davidson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
23 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
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
Cite this Entry
“Shortfalls.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shortfalls. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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