as in lack
a falling short of an essential or desirable amount or number
there was a troubling shortage of supplies for the troops overseas this year
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Recent Examples of shortage
The remainder of 2025 is a question mark now that air traffic controller shortages are creating chaos at Newark Liberty International Airport, one of the nation's busiest, and various other airports at different times.
—
Hugh Cameron, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 May 2025
Effective leaders develop broad strategies for dealing with talent shortages in the short term.
—John M. Bremen, Forbes.com, 16 May 2025
Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey recently experienced telecommunications and radar outages and air traffic controller staff shortages.
—Alexis Simendinger, The Hill, 16 May 2025
Memorial Day weekend also comes on the heels of ongoing delays at New Jersey's Newark Liberty International Airport due to multiple technical problems, runway construction and staffing shortages.
—Ayesha Ali, ABC News, 16 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for shortage
Hugh Cameron, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 May 2025
Effective leaders develop broad strategies for dealing with talent shortages in the short term.
—John M. Bremen, Forbes.com, 16 May 2025
Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey recently experienced telecommunications and radar outages and air traffic controller staff shortages.
—Alexis Simendinger, The Hill, 16 May 2025
Memorial Day weekend also comes on the heels of ongoing delays at New Jersey's Newark Liberty International Airport due to multiple technical problems, runway construction and staffing shortages.
—Ayesha Ali, ABC News, 16 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for shortage
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shortage
Noun
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After two days exploring Barcelona, Spain, Napton was surprised at the lack of political discourse.—
Kathleen Wong,
USA Today,
26 May 2025
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Morehouse graduates applaud the honor Part of the tragedy of Hubert’s lynching was a lack of awareness surrounding his story among Morehouse graduates until only recently, several alumni said.—
Dalia Faheid,
CNN Money,
25 May 2025
Noun
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Ultimately, the expedition’s failure likely came down to a combination of factors, including dietary deficiencies, hubris and simple bad luck.—
Meilan Solly,
Smithsonian Magazine,
19 May 2025
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The absence of the 10 men, who also utilized facility deficiencies that officials have long complained about in their escape, went unnoticed for hours.—
Jack Brook,
Chicago Tribune,
17 May 2025
Noun
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There’s a scarcity mentality, like there’s only so many roles.—
Ashley Spencer,
Los Angeles Times,
30 May 2025
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The cash is aimed at countering a scarcity of mental health workers in California and across the country.—
Don Thompson,
Sacbee.com,
30 May 2025
Noun
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Instead, the Knicks fell to a 2-0 series deficit after losing to the Pacers by a final score of 114-109.—
Evan Massey,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 May 2025
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Investors worry that the more than 1,000-page bill will lead to a sharply wider deficit.—
Medora Lee,
USA Today,
24 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Shortage.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shortage. Accessed 3 Jun. 2025.
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