as in lack
a falling short of an essential or desirable amount or number
there was a troubling shortage of supplies for the troops overseas this year
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Recent Examples of shortage
There’s also a host of brand-new, inexperienced medical students; a staffing shortage; and the hospital administrator breathing down Dr. Robby’s neck.
—
Kathryn Vanarendonk, Vulture, 11 Apr. 2025
With entire flocks culled to prevent the spread of the virus, the egg supply has been strained, leading to shortages in stores and inflated costs for consumers.
—Claire Malon, Chicago Tribune, 11 Apr. 2025
Such behavior can put pressure on demand, lead to shortages and stoke inflation, the warn.
—Anne Marie Drummond Lee, CBS News, 9 Apr. 2025
Water shortages have plagued the region for centuries, and now modern climate change combined with agro-industrial practices have further intensified droughts.
—Ari Caramanica, The Conversation, 8 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for shortage
Kathryn Vanarendonk, Vulture, 11 Apr. 2025
With entire flocks culled to prevent the spread of the virus, the egg supply has been strained, leading to shortages in stores and inflated costs for consumers.
—Claire Malon, Chicago Tribune, 11 Apr. 2025
Such behavior can put pressure on demand, lead to shortages and stoke inflation, the warn.
—Anne Marie Drummond Lee, CBS News, 9 Apr. 2025
Water shortages have plagued the region for centuries, and now modern climate change combined with agro-industrial practices have further intensified droughts.
—Ari Caramanica, The Conversation, 8 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for shortage
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shortage
Noun
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His quickness getting across the crease, his evident athleticism, more than made up for any lack of experience.—
Mark Lazerus,
New York Times,
20 Apr. 2025
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But, sadly, because bathrooms are such high-moisture rooms with a lack of ventilation, mold is easy to grow.—
Ashlyn Needham,
Southern Living,
19 Apr. 2025
Noun
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That deficiency intensified now that Brown is heading to Jacksonville on a one-year deal, according to a team source.—
Ben Standig,
New York Times,
11 Apr. 2025
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According to a 2023 study, 35% of adults in the US are suffering from a vitamin D deficiency, and that can lead to a number of issues (poor immune system, risk of certain cancers, and liver and kidney disease, to name just a few).—
Audrey Noble,
Vogue,
11 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Become visibly in demand through authentic scarcity.—
Jodie Cook,
Forbes.com,
8 Apr. 2025
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Hamas currently benefits from resource scarcity, diverting humanitarian aid and exerting control over its distribution.—
Dana Stroul,
Foreign Affairs,
2 Apr. 2025
Noun
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The Tigers easily overcame the deficit against Royals ace Cole Ragans in a 7-3 victory at Comerica Park.—
Jaylon Thompson,
Kansas City Star,
19 Apr. 2025
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Japan's global trade deficit totaled 5.2 trillion yen ($36.5 billion) for the fiscal year through March, for the fourth straight year of deficits.—
Nicholas Creel,
MSNBC Newsweek,
18 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Shortage.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shortage. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.
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