as in deficiencies
formal
a failure to get what is expected or needed
a shortfall in milk production profit shortfalls
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Recent Examples of shortfalls
Last year, Cuba’s fuel imports fell by more than a third, and electricity shortfalls have at times wiped out nearly 30 percent of daily demand.
—
Thomas E. Franklin, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Apr. 2026
To ease energy shortfalls, the Philippines imported crude oil, a first since 2021.
—Anton L. Delgado, Los Angeles Times, 31 Mar. 2026
This is especially true among districts like Olathe, which faces a stark decline in enrollment, and therefore, revenue shortfalls.
—Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 31 Mar. 2026
Sri Lanka’s suspension of foreign debt payments in April 2022 triggered empty supermarkets and acute shortfalls in food, fuel and medicine.
—Sven Van Mourik, The Dial, 31 Mar. 2026
Margaret Hodge, a former Labour Party member of Parliament, submitted an independent review of the Arts Council England that suggests reform and addresses funding shortfalls by employing a new financial push — which the government has agreed to explore.
—Ashley J. Dimella, FOXNews.com, 31 Mar. 2026
To ease energy shortfalls, the Philippines imported crude oil, a first since 2021.
—ABC News, 30 Mar. 2026
The public funding may not be siphoned out of library budgets, but shortfalls have to be covered somehow.
—Louisa Thomas, New Yorker, 29 Mar. 2026
That prescription erases one-quarter of the shortfalls and saves $190 billion over the next decade.
—Shawn Tully, Fortune, 26 Mar. 2026
Thomas E. Franklin, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Apr. 2026
To ease energy shortfalls, the Philippines imported crude oil, a first since 2021.
—Anton L. Delgado, Los Angeles Times, 31 Mar. 2026
This is especially true among districts like Olathe, which faces a stark decline in enrollment, and therefore, revenue shortfalls.
—Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 31 Mar. 2026
Sri Lanka’s suspension of foreign debt payments in April 2022 triggered empty supermarkets and acute shortfalls in food, fuel and medicine.
—Sven Van Mourik, The Dial, 31 Mar. 2026
Margaret Hodge, a former Labour Party member of Parliament, submitted an independent review of the Arts Council England that suggests reform and addresses funding shortfalls by employing a new financial push — which the government has agreed to explore.
—Ashley J. Dimella, FOXNews.com, 31 Mar. 2026
To ease energy shortfalls, the Philippines imported crude oil, a first since 2021.
—ABC News, 30 Mar. 2026
The public funding may not be siphoned out of library budgets, but shortfalls have to be covered somehow.
—Louisa Thomas, New Yorker, 29 Mar. 2026
That prescription erases one-quarter of the shortfalls and saves $190 billion over the next decade.
—Shawn Tully, Fortune, 26 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shortfalls
Noun
-
Most organizations try to fix deficiencies or incrementally raise satisfaction levels.—
Marcus Buckingham,
Harvard Business Review,
26 Mar. 2026
-
In fact, more than half of women will experience some form of hair loss at one point or another — whether due to hormonal changes, nutrient deficiencies, stress or sheer genetics.—
Rebecca Strong,
USA Today,
25 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
This is not surprising given the multibillion-dollar budget deficits that leave Marylanders shaking their heads, wondering what is happening in the governor’s office that is leaving their checking accounts under more and more pressure every month.—
Torrey Snow,
Baltimore Sun,
1 Apr. 2026
-
The Celtics lead the four-game season series 3-0, having overcome 19- and 22-point deficits in two of those games.—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
30 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Shortfalls.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shortfalls. Accessed 4 Apr. 2026.
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