shortfall
noun
short·fall
ˈshȯrt-ˌfȯl 
: a failure to come up to expectation or need
a budget shortfall
also
: the amount of such failure
a $2 million shortfall
Examples of shortfall in a Sentence
a shortfall in milk production
Recent Examples on the Web
Sources close to the production have told us that there is at least a $1 million shortfall in payroll.
—
Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 9 Apr. 2025
Franklin-McKinley School District in San Jose recently became the latest to announce school closures and layoffs when the school board voted to close three schools in an attempt to repair a $22.9 million budget shortfall earlier this year.
—Molly Gibbs, Mercury News, 6 Apr. 2025
The budget shortfall at the University of California San Diego could reach as high as $500 million, according to a new projection by UC San Diego Chancellor Pradeep Khosla, who issued the warning in an April 1 message to the campus.
—Michael T. Nietzel, Forbes.com, 5 Apr. 2025
The shortfalls come as severe storms and tornadoes hit parts of the country, leaving meteorologists stretched thin.
—Amanda Castro, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for shortfall
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.
Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 9 Apr. 2025
Franklin-McKinley School District in San Jose recently became the latest to announce school closures and layoffs when the school board voted to close three schools in an attempt to repair a $22.9 million budget shortfall earlier this year.
—Molly Gibbs, Mercury News, 6 Apr. 2025
The budget shortfall at the University of California San Diego could reach as high as $500 million, according to a new projection by UC San Diego Chancellor Pradeep Khosla, who issued the warning in an April 1 message to the campus.
—Michael T. Nietzel, Forbes.com, 5 Apr. 2025
The shortfalls come as severe storms and tornadoes hit parts of the country, leaving meteorologists stretched thin.
—Amanda Castro, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for shortfall
Cite this Entry
“Shortfall.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shortfall. Accessed 14 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share