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
After the inspection, Havasupai Elementary School notified BIE that two of the seven deficiencies, both repeat deficiencies since 2019, had been corrected.
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Arlyssa D. Becenti, The Arizona Republic, 8 Nov. 2024
The company identified deficiencies in its internal control structure, citing inadequate staffing and supervision within accounting operations as a primary concern.
—Quartz Bot, Quartz, 14 Nov. 2024
But a fight in the Pacific is not the only scenario the United States must be prepared for (and, ideally, deter), and readiness in other arenas will require addressing other deficiencies.
—Kori Schake, Foreign Affairs, 8 Nov. 2024
Coco Gauff also said goodbye to Brad Gilbert and despite an initial upsurge in form immediately afterwards, the technical deficiencies on serve continue to be egregious.
—Tim Ellis, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for deficiency 
Arlyssa D. Becenti, The Arizona Republic, 8 Nov. 2024
The company identified deficiencies in its internal control structure, citing inadequate staffing and supervision within accounting operations as a primary concern.
—Quartz Bot, Quartz, 14 Nov. 2024
But a fight in the Pacific is not the only scenario the United States must be prepared for (and, ideally, deter), and readiness in other arenas will require addressing other deficiencies.
—Kori Schake, Foreign Affairs, 8 Nov. 2024
Coco Gauff also said goodbye to Brad Gilbert and despite an initial upsurge in form immediately afterwards, the technical deficiencies on serve continue to be egregious.
—Tim Ellis, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for deficiency
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Cite this Entry
“Deficiency.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deficiency. Accessed 30 Nov. 2024.
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