as in shortage
a falling short of an essential or desirable amount or number
there's a famine of good general practitioners in many rural areas
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Recent Examples of famine
Israeli restrictions, fighting and the breakdown of law and order have hindered humanitarian aid delivery, raising fears of famine, while hunger leaves people at greater risk of disease and death.
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Wafaa Shurafa and Majdi Mohammed, Los Angeles Times, 29 Dec. 2024
But with the current war, the humanitarian situation in the camp has deteriorated, leading to the official confirmation of famine in August.
—Emmanuel Akinwotu, NPR, 21 Dec. 2024
But with war in its second year, Netanyahu and his allies still insist that Israel must root out Hamas' presence in the enclave, even as more than 43,000 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli attacks and those remaining in the enclave face famine and humanitarian crisis.
—Cybele Mayes-Osterman, USA TODAY, 11 Dec. 2024
The area has been cut off from food and other aid for months, raising fears of famine.
—Democrat-Gazette Staff From Wire Reports, arkansasonline.com, 28 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for famine 
Wafaa Shurafa and Majdi Mohammed, Los Angeles Times, 29 Dec. 2024
But with the current war, the humanitarian situation in the camp has deteriorated, leading to the official confirmation of famine in August.
—Emmanuel Akinwotu, NPR, 21 Dec. 2024
But with war in its second year, Netanyahu and his allies still insist that Israel must root out Hamas' presence in the enclave, even as more than 43,000 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli attacks and those remaining in the enclave face famine and humanitarian crisis.
—Cybele Mayes-Osterman, USA TODAY, 11 Dec. 2024
The area has been cut off from food and other aid for months, raising fears of famine.
—Democrat-Gazette Staff From Wire Reports, arkansasonline.com, 28 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for famine
Recent Examples of Synonyms for famine
Noun
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The history makes clear that looming mineral shortages ought not be a cause for concern.Duncan Money / Made by History, TIME, 8 Jan. 2025
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This could result in delays in surgeries and lack of epidurals for births due to potential staffing shortages.Kevin Lynn, Newsweek, 7 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Earlier this season, Kody and Robyn got into an intense argument about Kody's lack of presence in his kids' lives.Hannah Sacks, People.com, 13 Jan. 2025
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The Change Healthcare attack was blamed, in part, on the lack of such a control.Tina Reed, Axios, 13 Jan. 2025
Noun
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The Kings were widely criticized for firing Brown, who led them to the playoffs for the first time since 2006, ending the longest playoff drought in NBA history after 16 consecutive losing seasons.Jason Anderson, Sacramento Bee, 17 Jan. 2025
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Then last season, the Lions went 12-5 and snapped their playoff drought, picking up two postseason wins to advance to the NFC Championship Game.Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 17 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near famine
Cite this Entry
“Famine.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/famine. Accessed 20 Jan. 2025.
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