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 The undercurrents of the shift toward the in-office work model reveal a myopic view that neglects the necessity to evolve and adapt to today’s dynamic work landscape. Bygleb Tsipursky, Fortune, 10 Oct. 2023 But what’s helped propel the company to new heights, McCann says, is an almost myopic focus on building customer relationships and brand loyalty. Ruth Umoh, Fortune, 24 Oct. 2023 Boards aren’t calling their CEOs on this, even though a Fortune 500 company could be destroying literally billions of dollars in value by doing these myopic things. Geoff Colvin, Fortune, 14 Aug. 2023 In China, South Korea, and Taiwan, 90% of young adults are myopic. Longreads, 25 Aug. 2023 His grandparents, neither of whom were myopic, were farmers in central Taiwan. Amit Katwala, WIRED, 22 Aug. 2023 Some of the series’ best episodes have expanded the show beyond the Dogs themselves, whose perspective can be myopic in the way of young people experiencing their first brush with adulthood. Alison Herman, Variety, 1 Aug. 2023 Playing on each character’s myopic vision of the family and their general insufferableness, the Molyneuxs craft a story that provides a steady stream of laughs and gives the performers a chance to flex their comedic chops. Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 17 Nov. 2022 Too many myopic serial-killer stories begin and end with the psychology of the perpetrator, revealing only slightly different flavors of psychopathology. Time, 7 July 2023 See More

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 1 Dec. 2023.

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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