shortfall

noun

Definition of shortfallnext
as in deficiency
formal a failure to get what is expected or needed a shortfall in milk production profit shortfalls

Related Words

Relevance

Dissimilar Words

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 shortfall Nowhere is its shortfall clearer than in Siri’s slow evolution. — Sebastian Herrera, Fortune, 31 Aug. 2026 The domestic supply shortfall for wafers manufactured using advanced processes of 7 nanometres (nm) and below is projected to fall from 92% in 2025 to 34% by 2035, according to the investment bank. — Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 30 Aug. 2026 Asian nations, meanwhile, expressed alarm over shortfalls in US defense stockpiles as a result of the Iran war, The Washington Post reported. — Prashant Rao, semafor.com, 27 Aug. 2026 The rest of the shortfall will be covered with leftover federal COVID relief funds. — Todd Feurer, CBS News, 25 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for shortfall
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shortfall
  1. deficiency
  2. deficit
Noun
  • Defensively, the Lions have shown improvement but still have some deficiencies.
    — Kyle Foley, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 Aug. 2026
  • There were also no deficiencies in communication with other helicopters in contact with DCA’s traffic control tower.
    — Alexandra Skores, CNN Money, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of deficiency
Noun
  • Greenway bought its campus in 2023 from the Vermont College of Fine Arts, which had mostly gone remote by then and would be acquired a year later by the California Institute of the Arts after enrollment declines and multimillion-dollar deficits.
    — Jon Marcus, NPR, 1 Sep. 2026
  • Southlake Carroll erased a 27-0 deficit against Oklahoma power Jenks and won 34-33 at the Cotton Bowl, with quarterback Hudson Tomcheck’s late touchdown run sealing head coach Lee Munn’s debut victory.
    — Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of deficit

Browse Nearby Words

shortens
shortfall
shortfalls
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Shortfall.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shortfall. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of apiary

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

A List of Most Commonly Confused Words

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Words of the Week - Sept. 4
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
anagrams on a chalk board
Word Builder Quiz Vol. 2 Pick the letter that when added to a word will ma...
See All