as in shortages
a falling short of an essential or desirable amount or number
there is a deficiency of fresh food in the diet of many of the working poor
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Recent Examples of deficiencies
Aside from not having Worthy, the most significant concern for the Chiefs coming out of Brazil was deficiencies in the pass defense, which saw Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert throw for 318 yards and three touchdowns.
—
Pete Sweeney, Kansas City Star, 11 Sep. 2025
The 2024 report is based on information from 77,688 containers inspected, where 8,850 were found to have deficiencies.
—Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 10 Sep. 2025
The Los Angeles Lakers have dedicated their offseason to addressing some of the glaring deficiencies that cut last season's playoff run short and locking down superstar Luka Doncic long term.
—Gabe Smallson, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Sep. 2025
Digital twins may smooth operations as well, by highlighting deficiencies in systems and helping identify where they can be improved.
—Marco Chiappetta, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025
Iron and protein deficiencies have been linked to hair loss, and these nutrients are found in foods like lean meats, dairy products, nuts, spinach, grains, and beans.
—Cristina Mutchler, Verywell Health, 8 Sep. 2025
The April compliance report noted numerous deficiencies in Krome’s hold rooms, including overcrowding and detainees kept past the 12-hour time limit.
—Isabelle Chapman, CNN Money, 8 Sep. 2025
Various micronutrient deficiencies can also worsen outcomes.
—Michal Ruprecht, NPR, 8 Sep. 2025
In addition to amassing millions of dollars in debt, the four facilities also racked up nearly 384 violations for health and safety deficiencies in the last three years.
—Steven Martinez, jsonline.com, 28 Aug. 2025
Pete Sweeney, Kansas City Star, 11 Sep. 2025
The 2024 report is based on information from 77,688 containers inspected, where 8,850 were found to have deficiencies.
—Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 10 Sep. 2025
The Los Angeles Lakers have dedicated their offseason to addressing some of the glaring deficiencies that cut last season's playoff run short and locking down superstar Luka Doncic long term.
—Gabe Smallson, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Sep. 2025
Digital twins may smooth operations as well, by highlighting deficiencies in systems and helping identify where they can be improved.
—Marco Chiappetta, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025
Iron and protein deficiencies have been linked to hair loss, and these nutrients are found in foods like lean meats, dairy products, nuts, spinach, grains, and beans.
—Cristina Mutchler, Verywell Health, 8 Sep. 2025
The April compliance report noted numerous deficiencies in Krome’s hold rooms, including overcrowding and detainees kept past the 12-hour time limit.
—Isabelle Chapman, CNN Money, 8 Sep. 2025
Various micronutrient deficiencies can also worsen outcomes.
—Michal Ruprecht, NPR, 8 Sep. 2025
In addition to amassing millions of dollars in debt, the four facilities also racked up nearly 384 violations for health and safety deficiencies in the last three years.
—Steven Martinez, jsonline.com, 28 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deficiencies
Noun
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By last winter, after significant reconstruction, rolling blackouts were rare, and power shortages were mostly localized.—
Ken Silverstein,
Forbes.com,
11 Sep. 2025
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With rising costs, labor shortages and a push for more sustainable building methods, this kind of breakthrough could shape the future of American neighborhoods.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
10 Sep. 2025
Noun
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This absence — of God, of love, of plain community spirit — is a metaphor for the whole parish, where everyone is defined by their own lacks and deficiencies, the weaknesses that cause Wicks to despise them and vow to bring down them all.—
Damon Wise,
Deadline,
6 Sep. 2025
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But Davies’s film has a patience and lightness of touch that Scorsese’s lacks, as well as a note-perfect lead in Gillian Anderson.—
Elle Carroll,
Vulture,
11 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Debates surrounding its future intensified in the 2000s, as DFW’s ballooning population laid bare the long-term inadequacies of its water reserves.—
Eleanor Dearman
Updated August 15,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
15 Aug. 2025
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As sheriff of Baltimore City, I am compelled to raise the alarm on court security funding inadequacies.—
Sam Cogen,
Baltimore Sun,
4 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Deficiencies.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deficiencies. Accessed 16 Sep. 2025.
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