de·fi·cient
di-ˈfi-shənt 
1
: lacking in some necessary quality or element
deficient in judgment
bones deficient in calcium
2
: not up to a normal standard or complement (see complement entry 1 sense 1b(1)) : defective
deficient strength
… rusted and aging pipes … abetted by deficient maintenance and sabotage.—
Adam Nossiter
Adam Nossiter
deficiently
adverb
Synonyms
Examples of deficient in a Sentence
Adjective
Several bridges in the city are structurally deficient.
a diet deficient in calcium can lead to weak bones
Recent Examples on the WebAmber Smith, Discover Magazine, 3 Apr. 2024
Folate can correct anemia from lack of B12, but not the underlying nerve damage from being deficient in B12 long term.
—Lainey Younkin, Ms, Rd, Verywell Health, 22 Mar. 2024
His conviction and sentence have been upheld on appeal in state and federal court, though in 2021 a three-judge panel of the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals vacated the sentence, finding his trial attorney’s work during the sentencing phase of Pye’s trial was deficient and prejudicial.
—Dakin Andone, CNN, 20 Mar. 2024
Three years before Jack’s death, during an unannounced visit, a state inspector from the Department of Health Care Services, which licenses treatment centers such as Walden House, found the facility to be deficient in several areas — including ensuring residents’ medication logs were accurate.
—Calmatters, The Mercury News, 12 Mar. 2024
The lack of sunshine at this time of year means most of us will be deficient from at least October through to March–around one in six adults, according to the government.
—Georgia Day, Vogue, 22 Dec. 2023
Being deficient in vitamin B12 can lead to permanent brain and nerve damage.
—Lainey Younkin, Ms, Rd, Verywell Health, 22 Mar. 2024
The action follows a series of federal inspections that found multiple problems at the Seaquarium, including unsafe and structurally deficient buildings.
—Freida Frisaro, Fortune, 7 Mar. 2024
But if pseudosciences are so manifestly deficient, lacking in rigor, transparency, humility, or any other positive quality, then why do people believe in them?
—Paul Sutter, Ars Technica, 10 Jan. 2024
Casey Seiden, Parents, 26 Feb. 2024
The first vote began after 4 p.m. and ended up being counted by hand, anyway, when officials deemed the vote-counting machines deficient.
—The Arizona Republic, 27 Jan. 2024
People in certain age groups may also be more likely to become magnesium deficient, Gans said.
—Maggie O'Neill, Verywell Health, 1 Dec. 2023
People who are not magnesium deficient should not start taking a magnesium supplement without consulting a healthcare provider.
—Maggie O'Neill, Verywell Health, 1 Dec. 2023
One study found that nearly 41% of people are vitamin D deficient and 22% are moderately deficient.1
These deficiencies, if not addressed, can impact bone health leading to fractures as well as play a role in heart health, autoimmune disease risk, and cognitive function.
—Sherri Gordon, Health, 21 Oct. 2023
Vitamin d will not help to relieve inflammation directly, but becoming vitamin d deficient can also cause your testosterone levels to dip and your joints to become more prone to damage and inflammation.
—Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 5 Oct. 2023
His working hypothesis, however, is that if someone is vitamin D deficient, their immune response may not be as robust as someone with normal levels.
—Laura Hensley, Verywell Health, 28 Sep. 2023
Research suggests that 35% to 45% of the world's population is iodine deficient.
—Mary Shomon, Verywell Health, 17 Sep. 2023
Adjective
More than 50% of the people in the US are deficient in Magnesium; this deficiency can have grave consequences.
—Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 3 Apr. 2024
Folate can correct anemia from lack of B12, but not the underlying nerve damage from being deficient in B12 long term.
—Lainey Younkin, Ms, Rd, Verywell Health, 22 Mar. 2024
His conviction and sentence have been upheld on appeal in state and federal court, though in 2021 a three-judge panel of the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals vacated the sentence, finding his trial attorney’s work during the sentencing phase of Pye’s trial was deficient and prejudicial.
—Dakin Andone, CNN, 20 Mar. 2024
Three years before Jack’s death, during an unannounced visit, a state inspector from the Department of Health Care Services, which licenses treatment centers such as Walden House, found the facility to be deficient in several areas — including ensuring residents’ medication logs were accurate.
—Calmatters, The Mercury News, 12 Mar. 2024
The lack of sunshine at this time of year means most of us will be deficient from at least October through to March–around one in six adults, according to the government.
—Georgia Day, Vogue, 22 Dec. 2023
Being deficient in vitamin B12 can lead to permanent brain and nerve damage.
—Lainey Younkin, Ms, Rd, Verywell Health, 22 Mar. 2024
The action follows a series of federal inspections that found multiple problems at the Seaquarium, including unsafe and structurally deficient buildings.
—Freida Frisaro, Fortune, 7 Mar. 2024
But if pseudosciences are so manifestly deficient, lacking in rigor, transparency, humility, or any other positive quality, then why do people believe in them?
—Paul Sutter, Ars Technica, 10 Jan. 2024
Noun
Best High Dose: Nature Made Iron For pregnant women diagnosed with iron deficiency or iron deficient anemia, a healthcare professional may recommend a high-dose iron supplement.
—Casey Seiden, Parents, 26 Feb. 2024
The first vote began after 4 p.m. and ended up being counted by hand, anyway, when officials deemed the vote-counting machines deficient.
—The Arizona Republic, 27 Jan. 2024
People in certain age groups may also be more likely to become magnesium deficient, Gans said.
—Maggie O'Neill, Verywell Health, 1 Dec. 2023
People who are not magnesium deficient should not start taking a magnesium supplement without consulting a healthcare provider.
—Maggie O'Neill, Verywell Health, 1 Dec. 2023
One study found that nearly 41% of people are vitamin D deficient and 22% are moderately deficient.1
These deficiencies, if not addressed, can impact bone health leading to fractures as well as play a role in heart health, autoimmune disease risk, and cognitive function.
—Sherri Gordon, Health, 21 Oct. 2023
Vitamin d will not help to relieve inflammation directly, but becoming vitamin d deficient can also cause your testosterone levels to dip and your joints to become more prone to damage and inflammation.
—Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 5 Oct. 2023
His working hypothesis, however, is that if someone is vitamin D deficient, their immune response may not be as robust as someone with normal levels.
—Laura Hensley, Verywell Health, 28 Sep. 2023
Research suggests that 35% to 45% of the world's population is iodine deficient.
—Mary Shomon, Verywell Health, 17 Sep. 2023
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'deficient.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Etymology
Adjective
borrowed from Latin dēficient-, dēficiens, present participle of dēficere "to leave without enough, let down, be lacking, run short, fail," from dē- de- + facere "to make, bring about, perform, do" — more at fact
Noun
derivative of deficient entry 1
Dictionary Entries Near deficient
Cite this Entry
“Deficient.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/deficient. Accessed 16 Apr. 2024.
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Kids Definition
deficient
adjective
de·fi·cient
di-ˈfish-ənt
: lacking something necessary for completeness : not up to a given or normal standard
a diet deficient in proteins
deficient in their knowledge of history
deficiently
adverb
Medical Definition
deficient
adjective
de·fi·cient
di-ˈfish-ənt
1
: lacking in some necessary quality or element
a deficient diet
2
: not up to a normal standard or complement
deficient strength
3
: having, relating to, or characterized by a genetic deletion
More from Merriam-Webster on deficient
Nglish: Translation of deficient for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of deficient for Arabic Speakers
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