deficiency

[dih-fish-uhn-see] / dɪˈfɪʃ ən si /

NOUN

imperfection, inadequacy

Synonyms

STRONGEST

dearth defect failing failure fault flaw frailty glitch insufficiency lack scarcity shortage shortcoming weakness

STRONG

absence bug defalcation default deficit demerit dereliction loss need neglect paucity privation scantiness sin want

WEAK

inability to hack it insufficience

Antonyms

STRONGEST

abundance advantage enough excess perfection plenty strength strong point success sufficiency surplus

STRONG

accomplishment achievement

WEAK

adequacy faultlessness satisfaction superfluity

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.

B12 deficiency becomes more common with age, partly because the stomach may produce less acid, which is needed to release B12 from food.

From Science Daily • Jun. 6, 2026

Scientists have long known that animals tend to crave protein-rich foods when deprived of protein, but exactly how the body senses this deficiency remained unclear.

From Science Daily • May 28, 2026

This is why B12 deficiency is taken seriously.

From Science Daily • May 27, 2026

A 2025 comprehensive review concluded that B12 deficiency remains a modifiable risk factor for neurological and cognitive problems, especially in high risk groups such as older adults and vegetarians.

From Science Daily • May 22, 2026

I liked this idea: that peculiarness wasn’t a deficiency, but an abundance; that it wasn’t we who lacked something normals had, but they who lacked peculiarness.

From "Hollow City" by Ransom Riggs

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