shortfall

noun

short·​fall ˈshȯrt-ˌfȯl How to pronounce shortfall (audio)
Synonyms of shortfallnext
: a failure to come up to expectation or need
a budget shortfall
also : the amount of such failure
a $2 million shortfall

Examples of shortfall in a Sentence

a shortfall in milk production
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The domestic supply shortfall for wafers manufactured using advanced processes of 7 nanometres (nm) and below is projected to fall from 92% in 2025 to 34% by 2035, according to the investment bank. — Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 30 Aug. 2026 Asian nations, meanwhile, expressed alarm over shortfalls in US defense stockpiles as a result of the Iran war, The Washington Post reported. — Prashant Rao, semafor.com, 27 Aug. 2026 Boomers also spent decades paying payroll taxes that built up the trust fund surplus now being drawn down to help cover the shortfall. — Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 26 Aug. 2026 The rest of the shortfall will be covered with leftover federal COVID relief funds. — Todd Feurer, CBS News, 25 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for shortfall

Word History

First Known Use

1895, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of shortfall was in 1895

Rhymes for shortfall

See All Rhymes for shortfall

Browse Nearby Words

short ess
shortfall
short-fed
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Shortfall.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shortfall. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for shortfall

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