Stumped by the crossword clue "Shortage"? You're not alone — this clue appeared in the Universal Crossword puzzle on March 10, 2026. We've scoured our database and found 12 possible solutions. The strongest candidate is DEFICIT (7 letters) at 99% confidence, based on data from published crossword puzzles.
Answer For Shortage:
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12 Other Potential Answers
Rank
Answer
Length
Source
Date
99%
DEFICIT
Shortage
(7)
Universal Crossword
Mar 10, 2026
99%
DEFICIT
Shortage
Universal Crossword · Mar 10, 2026
99%
SCARCITY
Shortage
(8)
Universal Crossword
Dec 19, 2025
99%
SCARCITY
Shortage
Universal Crossword · Dec 19, 2025
99%
LACK
Shortage
(4)
Universal Crossword
Mar 28, 2025
99%
LACK
Shortage
Universal Crossword · Mar 28, 2025
99%
NEED
Shortage
(4)
LA Times Daily Crossword
Mar 1, 2024
99%
NEED
Shortage
LA Times Daily Crossword · Mar 1, 2024
99%
DEARTH
Shortage
(6)
Thomas Joseph Crossword
Sep 23, 2023
99%
DEARTH
Shortage
Thomas Joseph Crossword · Sep 23, 2023
50%
TOOFEW
A shortage of
(6)
Premier Sunday Crossword
Jul 14, 2024
50%
TOOFEW
A shortage of
Premier Sunday Crossword · Jul 14, 2024
50%
FRYINGPANIC
Result of an oil shortage at KFC?
(11)
Universal Crossword
Sep 14, 2021
50%
FRYINGPANIC
Result of an oil shortage at KFC?
Universal Crossword · Sep 14, 2021
50%
CATSUP
Subject of a 2021 packet shortage
(6)
LA Times Daily Crossword
Jul 4, 2021
50%
CATSUP
Subject of a 2021 packet shortage
LA Times Daily Crossword · Jul 4, 2021
50%
IMPORTQUOTA
Reason for a Champagne shortage, maybe
(11)
LA Times Daily Crossword
Dec 5, 2020
50%
IMPORTQUOTA
Reason for a Champagne shortage, maybe
LA Times Daily Crossword · Dec 5, 2020
50%
FLATSODA
Result of a gas shortage?
(8)
LA Times Daily Crossword
Sep 1, 2018
50%
FLATSODA
Result of a gas shortage?
LA Times Daily Crossword · Sep 1, 2018
50%
ACUTE
Very serious, as a water shortage
(5)
LA Times Daily Crossword
Mar 21, 2018
50%
ACUTE
Very serious, as a water shortage
LA Times Daily Crossword · Mar 21, 2018
1%
IOUS
Evidence of shortages, for short
(4)
LA Times Daily Crossword
Mar 9, 2022
1%
IOUS
Evidence of shortages, for short
LA Times Daily Crossword · Mar 9, 2022
Clues for Universal Crossword on March 10, 2026
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Salad with bacon and eggs
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High rubber boot
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With 23-Across, repeated words in the Tolkien verse "___ to rule them all, ___ to find them, ___ to bring them all and in the darkness bind them"
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Word after "sand" or speed"
Crossword Clue
Bigwig on Madison Ave.
Crossword Clue
Blue-and-red-faced monkey
Crossword Clue
Necessity
Crossword Clue
Term for "online commerce" that irritates me
Crossword Clue
Sources for manufacturers
Crossword Clue
Frequently Asked Questions
How many possible solutions does "Shortage" have?
We found 5 exact solutions and 12 total potential answers including similar clues. The most likely answer is DEFICIT (7 letters).
What is the best answer for "Shortage"?
The best answer for "Shortage" is DEFICIT with 7 letters.
This answer has a 99% confidence rating based on our database of crossword solutions.
Other exact solutions include SCARCITY (8 letters), LACK (4 letters), NEED (4 letters).
Where has "Shortage" been used as a crossword clue?
This clue has appeared 9 times in our database.
It has been featured in Universal Crossword, Eugene Sheffer Crossword, LA Times Daily Crossword, Thomas Joseph Crossword, Premier Sunday Crossword.
It was last seen in the Universal Crossword on March 10, 2026.