Definitions

deficit

[def-uh-sit, dih-fis-it] / ˈdɛf ə sɪt, dɪˈfɪs ɪt /

NOUN

shortage of something needed, required

Synonyms

STRONGEST

loss shortfall

STRONG

arrears defalcation default deficiency dues inadequacy insufficiency lack paucity scantiness shortcoming

WEAK

dead horse due bill in hock in the hole in the red insufficience red ink underage

Antonyms

STRONG

abundance adequacy advantage enough perfection plenty satisfaction success sufficiency

WEAK

excess superfluousness

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Last year, tariffs did reduce some imports, but because the AI boom sucked in foreign-made tech equipment, the current-account deficit narrowed only slightly.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 12, 2026

They erased a 14-point second-half deficit to stun the Spurs in San Antonio in game one of the Finals.

From Barron's • Jun. 11, 2026

She decided that a 29-point deficit in the second half was simply too wide of a chasm to overcome, even for a Knicks team in the middle of a magical playoff run.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 11, 2026

Those permitted upgrades are also allowed to spend extra money under the engine budget cap, on a sliding scale depending on the performance deficit.

From BBC • Jun. 10, 2026

After subsisting for three months on an exceedingly marginal diet, McCandless had run up a sizable caloric deficit.

From "Into the Wild" by Jon Krakauer

Vocabulary lists containing deficit

Essential Academic Vocabulary for High School Students, List 2

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ACT Vocabulary List

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East Asia - Middle School

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