myopic

adjective

my·​o·​pic mī-ˈō-pik How to pronounce myopic (audio) -ˈä-pik How to pronounce myopic (audio)
1
: affected by myopia : of, relating to, or exhibiting myopia : nearsighted
It is likely the FDA will initially approve the procedure for severely myopic patients, though it is unclear what range of impaired vision will be included.Rhonda Rundle
In some eyes, the lens does not become flat enough to bring far objects in focus, although it focuses near objects well; people with such eyes are said to be myopic (nearsighted).Rita L. Atkinson et al.
2
: lacking in foresight or discernment : narrow in perspective and without concern for broader implications
Higher learning can offer individuals and societies a depth and breadth of vision absent from the inevitably myopic present.Drew Gilpin Faust
But only a myopic angler would fail to recognize the alarming signals in those unusual conditions.Pete Bodo
Like most who mutilate Chopin, he was musically myopic, fawning over each note instead of seeking the longer shape of a phrase, its arc and context, where the real beauty lay.Andrew Corsello
When he ran again in 2013, this time without a primary opponent, his campaign had an almost myopic focus on a subject dear to Republicans: job creation.Andy Kroll
myopically adverb
After the Revolution the newly independent American states, governed by large elected legislatures, formed a loose confederation in which each state myopically pursued its own highly localized interests. Russell Baker

Did you know?

Myopia is a condition in which visual images come to a focus in front of the retina of the eye, resulting in defective vision of distant objects. Those with myopia can be referred to as myopic (or, less formally, nearsighted). Myopic can also describe someone who has trouble seeing things from a different perspective or considering the future consequences before acting. Myopic and myopia come from Greek myōps, which is based on myein (meaning "to close") and ōps ("eye").

Examples of myopic in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web This means that people who are myopic and need reading glasses could enjoy a more natural and comfortable visual experience with these lenses. William A. Haseltine, Forbes, 26 Feb. 2024 That myopic view ignores the fact that businesses made investments in the expectation that Congress would do the right thing. The Editors, National Review, 5 Feb. 2024 But scientists now suspect that this long-standing view is myopic. Rebecca Boyle, Quanta Magazine, 24 Jan. 2024 Musk’s myopic view of blue checkmarks as solely a status symbol and nothing more led him astray. Scott Nover, Quartz, 21 Apr. 2023 Moreover, a myopic reliance on post hoc liability for platforms does little either to prevent abuse or to punish child abusers. Maureen Flatley, National Review, 25 Jan. 2024 Throughout the 20th century, many economists came to see this approach as myopic. Maggie Haberman, New York Times, 26 Dec. 2023 However, as heartening as Biden’s initiative is, it is predicated on a myopic framework that public policy should focus exclusively on steps to alter the supply-side of markets. Harry G. Broadman, Forbes, 30 Nov. 2023 As the more charismatic characters recede into the background, Morgan’s myopic focus on the handful who capture his attention—a coterie that doesn’t include Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson, those other tabloid fixtures of the nineties—begins to feel claustrophobic. Inkoo Kang, The New Yorker, 14 Dec. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'myopic.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1800, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of myopic was in 1800

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Dictionary Entries Near myopic

Cite this Entry

“Myopic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/myopic. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Medical Definition

myopic

1 of 2 adjective
my·​o·​pic -ˈō-pik How to pronounce myopic (audio) -ˈäp-ik How to pronounce myopic (audio)
: affected by myopia : of, relating to, or exhibiting myopia
myopically adverb

myopic

2 of 2 noun
: myope

More from Merriam-Webster on myopic

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