shortfalls

noun

plural of shortfall
as in deficiencies
formal a failure to get what is expected or needed a shortfall in milk production profit shortfalls

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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 shortfalls To better plan for climate impacts, Ward notes that our global food system should be more diverse, to allow for potential shortfalls. — Simmone Shah, Time, 11 June 2026 The county has faced relatively small budget shortfalls in the last couple of years and is now dipping into its reserves to the tune of $95 million. — Michael Smolens, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 June 2026 At the same time, Russia’s sovereign wealth fund, which has been tapped to cover budget shortfalls, is being rapidly depleted and just a fraction of prewar levels. — Jason Ma, Fortune, 27 June 2026 Cities across the state are warning that sweeping property tax cuts could lead to severe budget shortfalls and dramatic cuts to municipal services if voters say yes in November to a tax break. — Susannah Bryan, Sun Sentinel, 11 June 2026 In its current form, the bill requires the assessment of restitution shortfalls that occurred before July 12, 2019. — Alula Alderson, Sacbee.com, 1 July 2026 Just keeping these buildings operable is expensive, and the district struggles to meet even immediate building needs because capacity gets crowded out by legacy debt payments and operational revenue shortfalls. — Joe Ferguson, Chicago Tribune, 15 June 2026 Austerity in the Eighties further denatured the relationship between schools and students, with shortfalls in public spending on capital projects—new dorms, athletic facilities—mostly assumed by students in the form of higher tuition. — Ann Manov, Harpers Magazine, 30 June 2026 Four Kenyan commercial banks — Credit Bank, Consolidated Bank, Development Bank of Kenya, and Access Bank Kenya — are actively scrambling to plug severe capital shortfalls after missing the Central Bank of Kenya’s strict minimum core capital deadline. — Tiisetso Motsoeneng, semafor.com, 15 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shortfalls
  1. deficiencies
  2. deficits
Noun
  • The Lakers spent the first days of free agency addressing their shooting deficiencies.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 4 July 2026
  • It can be caused by pests, high temperatures, and mineral deficiencies or excess.
    — Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 3 July 2026
Definition of deficiencies
Noun
  • California previously faced tens of billions of dollars in budget deficits, forcing painful cuts such as a rollback last year on a promise to provide free healthcare to low-income immigrants without legal status.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 30 June 2026
  • Even though California is flush with tax revenue, agency analysts still warn that the state could face large deficits in the future.
    — Stephen Hobbs, Sacbee.com, 30 June 2026
Definition of deficits

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Cite this Entry

“Shortfalls.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shortfalls. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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