shortsighted

adjective

short·​sight·​ed ˈshȯrt-ˌsī-təd 

1

: lacking foresight

2

: nearsighted

shortsightedly adverb

shortsightedness noun

Synonyms

• myopic
• nearsighted

Examples of shortsighted in a Sentence

shortsighted politicians who only care about how they do in the next election

The plan was dangerously shortsighted.

Recent Examples on the Web

Every weakness is a strength The NHL’s recent obsession with state tax rates is shortsighted. —Murat Ates, New York Times, 31 May 2025

But disruption for its own sake, absent a clear understanding of how care is delivered, is shortsighted. —Paul Du Quenoy, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 May 2025

Unfortunately, many of the decisions that have put the railroad in its current tough spot have been made by shortsighted politicians over the years. —New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 17 May 2025

But local officials said waiting for disasters to happen is shortsighted. —Ryan MacAsero, Mercury News, 24 May 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1622, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for shortsighted

• affrighted
• alighted
• benighted
• delighted
• excited
• farsighted
• highlighted
• ignited
• incited
• indicted
• invited
• nearsighted

Kids Definition

shortsighted

adjective

short·​sight·​ed ˈshȯrt-ˈsīt-əd 

1

: nearsighted

2

: showing a failure to think ahead : lacking foresight

a shortsighted policy

shortsightedly adverb

shortsightedness noun

Medical Definition

shortsighted

adjective

short·​sight·​ed ˈshȯrt-ˈsīt-əd 

: nearsighted