mental deficiency
noun
: a deficiency in cognitive functioning
specifically
: intellectual disability
Examples of mental deficiency in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Defense counsel must explain how factors like an abusive upbringing, mental deficiencies, or personal tragedy led their client to commit a terrible crime.
—
Ian Millhiser, Vox, 7 Dec. 2018
Now that White's execution has been scheduled again, his attorneys are continuing arguments that police took advantage of White's mental deficiencies to elicit a confession without an attorney present.
—Alexis Simmerman, Austin American-Statesman, 1 Oct. 2024
Federal authorities supported a sentence of life in prison after medical experts concluded Crusius has serious mental deficiencies.
—David Nakamura, Washington Post, 28 Dec. 2023
The News & Observer did a fact check of a charge by Rep. Greg Murphy, R-N.C., who repeatedly accused the former vice president of mental deficiency.
—Doug Stanglin, USA TODAY, 19 July 2020
There doesn’t seem to be any negative neurological signs yet for physical or mental deficiencies.
—Rania Aniftos, Billboard, 2 Dec. 2019
Look at the real-world results of Donald Trump's erratic behavior, whether through mental deficiency or moral deficiency or some combination thereof.
—NBC News, 25 Aug. 2019
Then English gave his closing arguments, saying that McCoy was guilty, but only of second-degree murder, because of mental deficiencies.
—Jon Schuppe, NBC News, 12 Jan. 2018
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Ian Millhiser, Vox, 7 Dec. 2018
Now that White's execution has been scheduled again, his attorneys are continuing arguments that police took advantage of White's mental deficiencies to elicit a confession without an attorney present.
—Alexis Simmerman, Austin American-Statesman, 1 Oct. 2024
Federal authorities supported a sentence of life in prison after medical experts concluded Crusius has serious mental deficiencies.
—David Nakamura, Washington Post, 28 Dec. 2023
The News & Observer did a fact check of a charge by Rep. Greg Murphy, R-N.C., who repeatedly accused the former vice president of mental deficiency.
—Doug Stanglin, USA TODAY, 19 July 2020
There doesn’t seem to be any negative neurological signs yet for physical or mental deficiencies.
—Rania Aniftos, Billboard, 2 Dec. 2019
Look at the real-world results of Donald Trump's erratic behavior, whether through mental deficiency or moral deficiency or some combination thereof.
—NBC News, 25 Aug. 2019
Then English gave his closing arguments, saying that McCoy was guilty, but only of second-degree murder, because of mental deficiencies.
—Jon Schuppe, NBC News, 12 Jan. 2018
Cite this Entry
“Mental deficiency.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mental%20deficiency. Accessed 6 Mar. 2025.
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