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
Finally, the president's team argued that tariff revenue is going to help make up some of the shortfall.
—
ABC News, 6 July 2025
Voters narrowly passed a multimillion-dollar referendum in April 2024 to plug a shortfall because of rising operational costs.
—Alec Johnson, jsonline.com, 5 July 2025
The Vatican is running a structural deficit of around 50 million to 60 million euros ($59-71 million) and has a 1 billion euro ($1.18 billion) shortfall in its pension fund.
—Nicole Winfield, Chicago Tribune, 5 July 2025
In simple terms, that means less power for increasingly electricity-hungry tech and manufacturing sectors, and a growing population—meaning higher power bills for everyone, and possible shortfalls and brownouts.
—Jordan Blum, Fortune, 3 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for shortfall
ABC News, 6 July 2025
Voters narrowly passed a multimillion-dollar referendum in April 2024 to plug a shortfall because of rising operational costs.
—Alec Johnson, jsonline.com, 5 July 2025
The Vatican is running a structural deficit of around 50 million to 60 million euros ($59-71 million) and has a 1 billion euro ($1.18 billion) shortfall in its pension fund.
—Nicole Winfield, Chicago Tribune, 5 July 2025
In simple terms, that means less power for increasingly electricity-hungry tech and manufacturing sectors, and a growing population—meaning higher power bills for everyone, and possible shortfalls and brownouts.
—Jordan Blum, Fortune, 3 July 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 20 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share