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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.

I write here, understand, as a deficient moralist.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 3, 2026

These provide calories but lack the sterols bees need, leaving colonies nutritionally deficient.

From Science Daily • Mar. 27, 2026

Deere leverages AI to help farmers cut costs—by reducing labor required to operate equipment, minimizing wasted crop chemicals, and applying fertilizer more precisely where soil nutrients are deficient.

From Barron's • Feb. 2, 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

From Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.