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
Vernon has long since abandoned the linear song structures of For Emma, Forever Ago, opting instead for looping sequences that hover just short of resolution.
—
Mitch Therieau, Pitchfork, 8 Apr. 2026
The defection brings Carney’s Liberals to 171 seats, just one short of the 172-seat majority needed to pass any bill without opposition support.
—Rob Gillies, Los Angeles Times, 8 Apr. 2026
Yet after more than five weeks of fighting, and with a two-week ceasefire now in place, the president has fallen well short of those aims.
—Greg Myre, NPR, 8 Apr. 2026
This first movie stops well short of telling the full story of Michael Jackson.
—David Canfield, HollywoodReporter, 8 Apr. 2026
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Mitch Therieau, Pitchfork, 8 Apr. 2026
The defection brings Carney’s Liberals to 171 seats, just one short of the 172-seat majority needed to pass any bill without opposition support.
—Rob Gillies, Los Angeles Times, 8 Apr. 2026
Yet after more than five weeks of fighting, and with a two-week ceasefire now in place, the president has fallen well short of those aims.
—Greg Myre, NPR, 8 Apr. 2026
This first movie stops well short of telling the full story of Michael Jackson.
—David Canfield, HollywoodReporter, 8 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for short of
Cite this Entry
“Short of.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/short%20of. Accessed 14 Apr. 2026.
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