as in deficiency
formal
a failure to get what is expected or needed
a shortfall in milk production profit shortfalls
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Recent Examples of shortfall
Civic engagement As an uncertain economic future looms, park systems face the expiration of federal COVID-19 funds and local government budget shortfalls.
—
Adriana Pérez, Chicago Tribune, 22 June 2025
County officials expect to return to supervisors later, once state and federal funding specifics become clear, and adjust the budget, with the county unable to afford taking on a funding shortfall created by state or federal cuts.
—Jake Goodrick, Sacbee.com, 21 June 2025
Social Security may see adjustments, but by acting now, decades before any potential shortfall hits, this administration is likely protecting the program's future viability.
—Nick Mordowanec, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 June 2025
On both the commercial, as well as the military side, the ability to deliver against order books was a paramount concern due to the ongoing ramp in commercial deliveries, and the shortfalls in munitions and missiles from wars in Ukraine and the mid-East.
—Jerrold Lundquist, Forbes.com, 21 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for shortfall
Adriana Pérez, Chicago Tribune, 22 June 2025
County officials expect to return to supervisors later, once state and federal funding specifics become clear, and adjust the budget, with the county unable to afford taking on a funding shortfall created by state or federal cuts.
—Jake Goodrick, Sacbee.com, 21 June 2025
Social Security may see adjustments, but by acting now, decades before any potential shortfall hits, this administration is likely protecting the program's future viability.
—Nick Mordowanec, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 June 2025
On both the commercial, as well as the military side, the ability to deliver against order books was a paramount concern due to the ongoing ramp in commercial deliveries, and the shortfalls in munitions and missiles from wars in Ukraine and the mid-East.
—Jerrold Lundquist, Forbes.com, 21 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for shortfall
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shortfall
Noun
-
If the deficiency is prolonged, the plant may stop flowering and fruiting altogether.—
Lauren Landers,
Better Homes & Gardens,
7 July 2025
-
The issue was also declared a significant deficiency in 2020, and Wyandotte officials pledged to begin implementing a residential protection program.—
Keith Matheny,
Freep.com,
5 July 2025
Noun
-
The city is now being encouraged to cut staff to reduce its deficit and overtime pay.—
arkansasonline.com,
arkansasonline.com,
11 July 2025
-
The second quarter reporting season comes at a pivotal point for the stock market, with the S & P 500 and Nasdaq Composite trading at all-time highs this week even after an onslaught of bad news regarding higher tariffs, a ballooning fiscal deficit, softening growth and elevated geopolitical risk.—
Sarah Min,
CNBC,
11 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Shortfall.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shortfall. Accessed 19 Jul. 2025.
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