shortfall
noun
short·fall
ˈshȯrt-ˌfȯl 
: 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
Many expected to see significant belt tightening, my colleague Melody Gutierrez wrote, after the nonpartisan Legislative Analyst’s Office warned that California faces a nearly $18-billion budget shortfall.
—
Kevinisha Walker, Los Angeles Times, 10 Jan. 2026
Questions about education funding Amid the state’s revenue shortfall, Little in August ordered state agencies other than public schools to cut spending by 3%.
—Sarah Cutler, Idaho Statesman, 9 Jan. 2026
Their concerns included the staff layoffs, the near budget shortfall in 2025, and changes to school operations.
—Jennifer Palmer, Oklahoma Watch, 9 Jan. 2026
Some council members have expressed concern about assuming the expense as the city works to reduce budget deficits after closing a $1 billion shortfall and avoiding 1,600 layoffs.
—City News Service, Daily News, 9 Jan. 2026
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Cite this Entry
“Shortfall.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shortfall. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.
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