1
as in incomplete
lacking some necessary part
a diet deficient in calcium can lead to weak bones
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2
as in unacceptable
falling short of a standard
woefully deficient eyesight kept him out of military service
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3
as in lacking
not coming up to an expected measure or meeting a particular need
too deficient in common sense to be trusted to stay by himself
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Recent Examples of deficient
Finally, a doctor realized that Harvey, who had become a vegetarian a few years before, wasn’t getting enough protein and was deficient in a number of vitamins.
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Les Carpenter, Washington Post, 31 July 2024
There’s a bit of research to suggest that being chronically deficient in magnesium can, in fact, raise your risk of poor sleep or a sleep disorder (like insomnia or excessive daytime sleepiness), perhaps by interfering with your circadian rhythm (a.k.a.
—Erica Sloan, SELF, 26 Sep. 2024
Most of the vitamins and minerals on this list are ones that certain people are at risk of becoming deficient in (e.g. iron for menstruating people or vitamin B12 for people following a vegan diet).
—Isabel Vasquez Rd Ldn, Verywell Health, 13 Sep. 2024
Several European scientists famously created a GMO rice in the 1990s that produces beta carotene, which the human body converts to Vitamin A, an essential nutrient that is deficient in 125 million children worldwide.
—Juergen Eckhardt, Forbes, 12 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for deficient 
Les Carpenter, Washington Post, 31 July 2024
There’s a bit of research to suggest that being chronically deficient in magnesium can, in fact, raise your risk of poor sleep or a sleep disorder (like insomnia or excessive daytime sleepiness), perhaps by interfering with your circadian rhythm (a.k.a.
—Erica Sloan, SELF, 26 Sep. 2024
Most of the vitamins and minerals on this list are ones that certain people are at risk of becoming deficient in (e.g. iron for menstruating people or vitamin B12 for people following a vegan diet).
—Isabel Vasquez Rd Ldn, Verywell Health, 13 Sep. 2024
Several European scientists famously created a GMO rice in the 1990s that produces beta carotene, which the human body converts to Vitamin A, an essential nutrient that is deficient in 125 million children worldwide.
—Juergen Eckhardt, Forbes, 12 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for deficient
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deficient
Adjective
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Often, issues develop into unnecessary crises when there is incomplete information or when critical information does not reach the right people in time.Expert Panel®, Forbes, 20 Nov. 2024
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The fourth misfire was initially ruled a fumble that led to a Titans touchdown, but it was later overturned by video replay and ruled an incomplete pass.Elliott Teaford, Orange County Register, 10 Nov. 2024
Adjective
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An American president who thinks strategically would likely conclude that the risks and costs associated with tariffs-as-a-tactic would be remarkably high, if not unacceptable.Samuel Gregg, National Review, 1 Nov. 2024
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Not holding my breath for Mike Johnson or Elise Stefanik to state the obvious that this is unacceptable, dangerous, & shameful.Marco Rubio, Newsweek, 1 Nov. 2024
Adjective
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Using the wrong product might harm your mattress and could even void its warranty.Heather Cruickshank, SELF, 23 Nov. 2024
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Using encrypted storage or secure key exchanges ensures that the key does not fall into the wrong hands. 4.Ofer Lidsky, Forbes, 22 Nov. 2024
Adjective
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In April, Inspector General Christi Grimm defended her office’s work in congressional testimony but also asserted that its resources are inadequate.Peter Elkind, ProPublica, 13 Nov. 2024
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Acero said in a statement to the Tribune that the schools are closing due to insufficient funding, a lack of enrollment and inadequate spaces to ensure compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.Laura Rodríguez Presa, Chicago Tribune, 29 Oct. 2024
Adjective
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Exposure to high concentrations can cause people to lose consciousness and can lead to long-term effects such as headaches, poor attention span, poor memory and poor motor function, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.Noelle Phillips, The Denver Post, 15 Nov. 2024
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More than 40% of pregnant people were exposed to extreme heat, and nearly three-quarters lived in areas with poor air quality, the report found.Erika Edwards, NBC News, 14 Nov. 2024
Adjective
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Judge Kimberly Mueller of the Eastern District of California warned of what could happen if lawmakers don't pass the Judges Act, saying criminal defendants are waiting far too long for trials and some lawsuits are delayed for more than three years because of an insufficient number of judges.Tobi Raji The Washington Post, arkansasonline.com, 23 Nov. 2024
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At the same time, UM/UIM helps drivers when the at-fault party has insufficient or no insurance.Nia Bowers, Austin American-Statesman, 22 Nov. 2024
Adjective
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As holidays go, however, Flag Day can feel a bit lame.Kevin Fisher-Paulson, San Francisco Chronicle, 8 June 2021
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My 11-year-old loved watching the pups roll balls and play a giant floor piano, but for non-dog owners (guilty as charged), parts of the series—like dressing dogs in little hats and outfits for a Parisian fashion show—feel lame.Tim Neville, Outside Online, 23 Nov. 2020
Adjective
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Zach Wilson’s younger brother settled in as the game progressed, but then threw a bad INT in the fourth to end Utah’s comeback attempt.Kyle Newman, The Denver Post, 16 Nov. 2024
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As the screw twists and turns, the Broken Rock, led on the show by the Chairman Thomas Rainwater, find themselves on both the dealing and receiving ends of bad land deals and villainous behavior from local and out-of-state actors.Ryleigh Nucilli, Outside Online, 14 Nov. 2024
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Cite this Entry
“Deficient.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deficient. Accessed 30 Nov. 2024.
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