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

The plane ultimately crashed three miles short of the runway in Charlotte, killing 72 people in what remains the worst aviation disaster in the city’s history. — Théoden Janes, Charlotte Observer, 21 Oct. 2026

One point of disagreement involves a driveway on Fiddyment Road that would be 390 feet from an intersection, 10 feet short of the city’s 400-foot design standard for the location. — Nicole Buss, Sacbee.com, 20 Oct. 2026

The market underneath that result spent the entire quarter short of air cargo capacity, with demand growth outrunning supply in every month of the period. — Glenn Taylor, Footwear News, 20 Oct. 2026

Thomas has 332 career assists, one short of matching Brian Sutter for fourth on the Blues’ list. — ABC News, 20 Oct. 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