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.

This “formula,” it was quickly discovered, actually just represented the trade deficit with each country.

From Salon • Apr. 5, 2026

But the Bruins committed four consecutive turnovers to let Texas narrow the deficit even as the Longhorns struggled to make baskets.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 4, 2026

The trade deficit widened by $10.5 billion in February, excluding imports and exports of gold that aren’t counted in GDP.

From Barron's • Apr. 3, 2026

The £262m deficit for 2024-25 eclipses the £179.5m lost by Manchester City in 2011.

From BBC • Apr. 1, 2026

There’s always profit-taking or the federal deficit or something or other to account for a bearish turn, and improved corporate earnings or interest rates or whatever to account for a bullish one.

From "Innumeracy: Mathematical Illiteracy and Its Consequences" by John Allen Paulos

deficit

Example Sentences

Related Words