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.

First-quarter earnings revealed a $740 million loss —more than double the deficit in the same period last year and the widest in CoreWeave’s short history as a public company.

From Barron's • May 29, 2026

“The geopolitical risk premium may be fading, the structural supply deficit that emerged during the conflict has not disappeared,” he added.

From Barron's • May 29, 2026

The mayor is taking a victory lap, claiming to have closed a $12 billion budget deficit without cutting essential city services.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 27, 2026

Through knowledge, political will, and perhaps some luck, we seem to have tamed inflation and the budget deficit.

From "Newjack: Guarding Sing Sing" by Ted Conover

Vocabulary lists containing deficit

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