deficit spending

noun

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of deficit spending¹

First recorded in 1935–40

Example Sentences

She’s generally described as a “fiscal dove” in the Abe mode, meaning she’s not afraid of deficit spending in pursuit of economic growth.

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The failure to respond decisively is the geopolitical equivalent of runaway deficit spending.

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Lower taxes can drive growth, deficit spending, and inflation.

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"Over the past four years, our government racked up $8 trillion in wasteful deficit spending and inflicted nation wrecking energy restrictions, crippling regulations and hidden taxes like never before."

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A 2009 constitutional amendment limiting deficit spending has come back to haunt the current government after the constitutional court ruled it could not use special emergency funds to skirt deficit limits.

Read more on Seattle Times

Related Words

• budget deficit