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

Those four news nuggets were among developments to emerge during the aftermath of another Marlins season that ended short of a playoff berth, the 26th time in 34 years that the franchise missed the postseason. — Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 29 Sep. 2026

Anything short of perfection feels like disaster on the world stage. — Los Angeles Times, 29 Sep. 2026

Kenita Lloyd, will depart just short of five years of service at the end of 2026, according to an internal memo obtained by The News and two sources. — Cayla Bamberger, New York Daily News, 28 Sep. 2026

Purdy threw a quick 6-yard pass to Evans, who flipped it back 4 yards to a sprinting Samuel as he was being tackled well short of the first down. — CBS News, 28 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1560, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for short of

• above
• foxglove
• hereof
• thereof
• whereof
• dove
• glove
• love
• shove
• hereinabove