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Showing results for deficient. Search instead for definien.
Definitions

deficient

[dih-fish-uhnt] / dɪˈfɪʃ ənt /
ADJECTIVE
imperfect, inadequate
Synonyms
STRONGEST
defective faulty flawed impaired incomplete inferior insufficient lacking scarce skimpy unsatisfactory weak
WEAK
amiss bad damaged exiguous found wanting infrequent injured marred meager not cut out for not enough not make it not up to scratch outta gas rare scant scanty second fiddle second string short shy sketchy third-string unassembled unequal unfinished wanting
Antonyms
STRONGEST
abundant adequate enough perfect strong sufficient
WEAK
ample excessive faultless flawless satisfactory superfluous

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.

"If it turns out the shipowners were deficient, they will expect the full force of the law," Lopez told reporters.

From Barron's • Jan. 27, 2026

After MI5 apologised, we then showed that inquiries into what happened by MI5 and the government were deficient and unreliable, with further falsehoods provided to the court.

From BBC • Jan. 25, 2026

“It is a very deficient law,” said Francisco Monaldi, a Venezuelan who directs the Latin America energy program at Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 22, 2026

Lacking one of their top players with guard Skyy Clark sidelined by a hamstring injury, the Bruins also were deficient in many other areas.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 6, 2026

I stumbled to my feet; my leg dragged, deficient in its circulation.

From "The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing, Traitor to the Nation, Volume I: The Pox Party" by M.T. Anderson