DEFICIENCY Synonyms: 44 Similar and Opposite Words

deficiency

noun

di-ˈfi-shən-sē

Definition of deficiency

as in shortage

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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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of deficiency The most recent inspection of Six Flags Over Georgia's Goliath roller coaster found no violations or deficiencies, the office responsible for the safety of amusement park rides in Georgia said Thursday, days after a man fatally fell from the ride. — ABC News, 15 Oct. 2026 Education - North Carolina must invest to correct any educational deficiencies and to make sure that teachers are compensated at or above the national average salary. — Mary Ramsey, Charlotte Observer, 14 Oct. 2026 Communicate that one political conclusion represents enlightenment while another represents moral deficiency. — Rabbi Bruce D. Forman, Sun Sentinel, 13 Oct. 2026 Both teams have won just one game and have deficiencies on both sides of the ball. — Bobby Burack Outkick, FOXNews.com, 12 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for deficiency

Recent Examples of Synonyms for deficiency

Noun

Musk has repeatedly treated the sports car as a lower priority than Tesla’s other projects, while also blaming supply chain shortages for earlier delays.

— Bilin Lin, Fortune, 17 Oct. 2026
The state prison system experiences chronic staffing shortages of corrections officers, nurses and physicians.

— Jaquelyn Jahn, The Conversation, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of shortage

Noun

High energy costs, coupled with record exits of foreign investors from its capital markets due to risk aversion and the lack of artificial intelligence play, have kept the rupee under pressure.

— Priyanka Salve, CNBC, 16 Oct. 2026
What should make all hardcore wheelmen and wheelwomen happy is the lack of a huge center screen.

— Caleb Jacobs, The Drive, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of lack

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deficiencies

deficiency

deficient

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“Deficiency.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deficiency. Accessed 21 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of deficiency

noun

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