deficit spending

noun

: the spending of public funds raised by borrowing rather than by taxation

Examples of deficit spending in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Slash deficit spending or spike the nation’s now $36 trillion debt load? Lisa Mascaro, Chicago Tribune, 10 May 2025 Reversing the deficit spending that has occurred since May of 2022. Rachel Royster, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 20 Apr. 2025 Like the other conservative holdouts, the Tennessee Republican said his chief concern is that the GOP budget will spike the nation’s deficit spending in the name of cutting it. Mychael Schnell, The Hill, 25 Feb. 2025 In effect, a gold card program would serve as a form of deficit spending, favoring the current period over the more distant future. Tyler Cowen, Boston Herald, 4 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for deficit spending

Word History

First Known Use

1938, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of deficit spending was in 1938

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Cite this Entry

“Deficit spending.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/deficit%20spending. Accessed 3 Jun. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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