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
The cuts to aid, initiated by Trump ally Elon Musk at the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), have sparked fears of famine and the spread of disease, with experts warning that increasingly desperate people could be driven into the arms of anti-American terrorist groups.
—
Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Apr. 2025
Having navigated devastating famines, foreign invasions, civil conflicts and revolutionary periods, Chinese society has developed institutional approaches prioritizing long-term stability over immediate comfort.
—Chicago Tribune, 11 Apr. 2025
Today, about 25 million people, or half the population, faces severe hunger with famine declared in five areas in southern and southwestern Sudan.
—Nadeen Ebrahim, CNN Money, 10 Apr. 2025
Jane’s fiercely unforgiving tone was adopted by militant Irish nationalists for whom the famine stood as the ultimate proof of English perfidy.
—Fintan O'Toole, The New Yorker, 10 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for famine
Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Apr. 2025
Having navigated devastating famines, foreign invasions, civil conflicts and revolutionary periods, Chinese society has developed institutional approaches prioritizing long-term stability over immediate comfort.
—Chicago Tribune, 11 Apr. 2025
Today, about 25 million people, or half the population, faces severe hunger with famine declared in five areas in southern and southwestern Sudan.
—Nadeen Ebrahim, CNN Money, 10 Apr. 2025
Jane’s fiercely unforgiving tone was adopted by militant Irish nationalists for whom the famine stood as the ultimate proof of English perfidy.
—Fintan O'Toole, The New Yorker, 10 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for famine
Recent Examples of Synonyms for famine
Noun
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In the short term, the PC market risks huge price increases along with component shortages if the 145% tariff on Chinese imports persists.—
Michael Kan,
PC Magazine,
11 Apr. 2025
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With entire flocks culled to prevent the spread of the virus, the egg supply has been strained, leading to shortages in stores and inflated costs for consumers.—
Claire Malon,
Chicago Tribune,
11 Apr. 2025
Noun
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His quickness getting across the crease, his evident athleticism, more than made up for any lack of experience.—
Mark Lazerus,
New York Times,
20 Apr. 2025
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But, sadly, because bathrooms are such high-moisture rooms with a lack of ventilation, mold is easy to grow.—
Ashlyn Needham,
Southern Living,
19 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Zimbabwe have not played Test cricket against a ‘big three’ country since 2005, but will break that drought next month against England in a one-off Test match at Trent Bridge.—
Tristan Lavalette,
Forbes.com,
10 Apr. 2025
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Rory McIlroy is seeking to end an 11-year drought between major championships.—
Gabby Herzig,
New York Times,
10 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Famine.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/famine. Accessed 24 Apr. 2025.
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