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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Recent Examples of deficiency
Nitrogen deficiency appears as stunted plant growth and pale green or yellow leaves.
—
Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 2 Mar. 2025
Struggling through its deficiencies, and injuries, and its own fans’ disappointment and doubts.
—Greg Cote, Miami Herald, 28 Feb. 2025
That 3-point success masked some of Boston’s other deficiencies, like its leaky interior defense and issues in transition.
—Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 27 Feb. 2025
Houston can mask the deficiency by putting its cut-off man deeper into left field, but Bell and Clark believe Altuve will be capable of accurate throws.
—Chandler Rome, The Athletic, 25 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for deficiency
Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 2 Mar. 2025
Struggling through its deficiencies, and injuries, and its own fans’ disappointment and doubts.
—Greg Cote, Miami Herald, 28 Feb. 2025
That 3-point success masked some of Boston’s other deficiencies, like its leaky interior defense and issues in transition.
—Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 27 Feb. 2025
Houston can mask the deficiency by putting its cut-off man deeper into left field, but Bell and Clark believe Altuve will be capable of accurate throws.
—Chandler Rome, The Athletic, 25 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for deficiency
Cite this Entry
“Deficiency.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deficiency. Accessed 16 Mar. 2025.
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