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

Two months later, the appointment of another nominee, Keith Fountain, failed in a 5-4 decision of the Board of Directors, falling one short of the six votes necessary to confirm him. —Joseph Flaherty, Arkansas Online, 11 Feb. 2026

Everyone wasn’t healthy and the Dodgers fell well short of 120 wins. —Bill Plunkett, Oc Register, 11 Feb. 2026

While the team fell short of an American League East crown before putting up a lackluster fight in the ALDS last year, the Yanks also boasted baseball’s top offense and tied Toronto for the AL’s best record. —Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 11 Feb. 2026

This phrasing is of utmost importance because the federal government may end Medicare and Medicaid funding for medical providers whose care falls short of meeting professional standards. —Paul Sisson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Feb. 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