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 WebThe Arizona Republic, 18 Apr. 2024
The good news is that the number of structurally deficient bridges has dropped in recent years, according to the group.
—Nathaniel Meyersohn, CNN, 30 Mar. 2024
See all Example Sentences for deficient 
Adjective
The Strickland decision established that a defendant must show their attorney’s performance was deficient, resulting in an unfair trial, to claim their constitutional rights were violated.
—The Arizona Republic, 18 Apr. 2024
The good news is that the number of structurally deficient bridges has dropped in recent years, according to the group.
—Nathaniel Meyersohn, CNN, 30 Mar. 2024
See all Example Sentences for deficient
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.
Dictionary Entries Near deficient
Cite this Entry
“Deficient.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/deficient. Accessed 10 May. 2024.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
deficient
adjective
de·fi·cient
di-ˈfish-ənt
1
: lacking in some necessary quality or element
a deficient diet
When the body is deficient in vitamin C, these small blood vessels become fragile and break easily, causing small, bright red spots to appear around the hair follicles.—Erica Julson, Healthline
Erica Julson, Healthline2
: not up to a normal standard or capacity
deficient strength
Deficient sleep, which includes not getting enough sleep, irregularly timed sleep, poor quality sleep, and/or sleep disorders, impacts all aspects of functioning, including physical, emotional and occupational.—Hailey Meaklim et al., Sleep Health
Hailey Meaklim et al., Sleep Health3
: having, relating to, or characterized by a genetic deletion or alteration
… cancer cells that are deficient for the tumor suppressor gene p53 can be outcompeted by cells in which p53 is still intact.—Stephano Mello and Dirk Bohmann, eLife
Stephano Mello and Dirk Bohmann, eLife… the deficient expression of a gene in the endometrium during the receptive phase … in infertile women.—S. Henriquez et al., Molecular Human Reproduction
S. Henriquez et al., Molecular Human Reproduction
deficiently
adverb
performed deficiently in clinical trials
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