short of

preposition

: other than
especially : of a lesser degree than
had few options short of replacing the motor

Examples of short of in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Robinson had nine points, one short of a double-double. Maddie Hartley, Kansas City Star, 8 Jan. 2026 The defense's six interceptions fell one short of the previous franchise low, and the 12 takeaways were the second-fewest in club history. Arkansas Online, 7 Jan. 2026 Since 2020, the states of Washington, Oregon, and Idaho, as well as a handful of local tribes, have trapped and euthanized more than 200 sea lions in and around the Columbia River—and have still fallen short of the limits allowed by federal law. Katherine J. Wu, The Atlantic, 7 Jan. 2026 Already, the success of IDEA has come despite Congress funding less than 12 percent of its costs—far short of the 40 percent originally pledged. Victoria Mejicanos, Time, 7 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for short of

Word History

First Known Use

1560, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of short of was in 1560

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Cite this Entry

“Short of.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/short%20of. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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