shortcoming

noun

short·​com·​ing ˈshȯrt-ˌkə-miŋ 

ˌshȯrt-ˈkə-

: an imperfection or lack that detracts from the whole

also : the quality or state of being flawed or lacking

Synonyms of shortcoming

• weakness
• fault
• sin
• deficiency
• failing

Examples of shortcoming in a Sentence

Her lack of attention to detail is her biggest shortcoming.

The main shortcoming of this camera is that it uses up batteries quickly.

Recent Examples on the Web

Mike drives Eddie hard in the gym and is blunt about his shortcomings, not to mention his view that Joanne is holding her son back. —David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 16 June 2026

What begins as a story about systemic failures — the difficulty of childcare, the shortcomings of the foster system — contracts into an account of one woman’s trauma response. —Natalia Winkelman, Variety, 16 June 2026

What is truly disgraceful is leveraging your skin color to remain employed while insisting that white privilege is responsible for your own shortcomings. —Bobby Burack Outkick, FOXNews.com, 15 June 2026

The shortcomings — insufficient specificity, thin systemic risk analysis, bank-centric case studies — are significant but correctable. —Mayra Rodriguez Valladares, Forbes.com, 14 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for shortcoming

• becoming
• forthcoming
• homecoming
• incoming
• oncoming
• succumbing
• upcoming
• coming
• cumming
• drumming
• gumming
• humming

Kids Definition

shortcoming

noun

short·​com·​ing ˈshȯrt-ˌkəm-iŋ 

(ˈ)shȯrt-ˈkəm-

: fault entry 1 sense 1b