deficit

noun

ˈde-fə-sət How to pronounce deficit (audio)
Definition of deficitnext
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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 deficit The 18-year-old rallied from fourth place and a seven-tenths deficit to secure the victory on Sunday, joining an elite group of athletes like Simone Biles with back-to-back all-around wins. — Caroline Price, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026 July alone produced a $431 billion deficit, up $140 billion from a year earlier. — Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 10 Aug. 2026 McIlroy rallies from a three-shot deficit at the turn, to shoot a 3-under 68 to beat Phil Mickelson by one stroke. — Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 10 Aug. 2026 The idea of charging for parking at the beach coincided with discussions over how the city would close a $118 million budget deficit in FY27. — Ashley MacKin Solomon, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for deficit
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deficit
  1. shortage
  2. lack
  3. deficiency
Noun
  • The barrage has caused fuel shortages in Russia, eaten into Russian refining capacity, and unsettled the Russian public.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 10 Aug. 2026
  • Wong said the permanent closure was a result of rising food costs, inflation, labor shortages and the economy in general.
    — Daily News, Daily News, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of shortage
Noun
  • Constant said failure to appear charges, often due to the bus being late, a lack of childcare or permission to take the day off from work, are driving Connecticut’s pretrial population.
    — Kaitlin McCallum, Hartford Courant, 14 Aug. 2026
  • The main reason China has been able to play this role is Washington’s lack of follow-up on sanctions, according to energy analyst Kjell Eikland, director of Eikland Energy AS.
    — Simone McCarthy, CNN Money, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of lack
Noun
  • No one would blame them, however, for privately feeling frustrated over the complete deficiency of leads.
    — Tony Maglio, HollywoodReporter, 8 Aug. 2026
  • Construction defects, insulation deficiencies, and air leakage throughout the home or building can significantly affect how well the heating and cooling system performs.
    — Brynn Cooksey, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of deficiency

Browse Nearby Words

deficiently
deficit
deficits
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Cite this Entry

“Deficit.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deficit. Accessed 15 Aug. 2026.

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