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Synonyms

deficit spending

American  

noun

  1. the practice of spending funds in excess of income, especially by a government.


Etymology

Origin of deficit spending

First recorded in 1935–40

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

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“These include massive deficit spending, not only in the U.S., and massive spending on defense in Europe and in Japan,” he said during an interview with MarketWatch.

From MarketWatch Aug. 12, 2026

Double-digit raises have been promised to union workers by a school system that for months has proclaimed that it is in dire financial straits, trapped in deficit spending and facing potential insolvency in four years.

From Los Angeles Times Apr. 15, 2026

“Our economy has been fueled by large amounts of government deficit spending and past stimulus and that increased expenditure on infrastructure remains a growing need,” Dimon says.

From The Wall Street Journal Apr. 6, 2026

“Current deficit spending as a percent of GDP of 5.2% would be 6.1% without tariff revenue,” says Bill Merz, head of capital markets research at U.S.

From Barron's Feb. 26, 2026

Higher taxes and more ruinous levies in the newly conquered provinces could not fill the insatiable maw of deficit spending.

From Civilization and Beyond Learning from History by Scott Nearing

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