short-circuit

1 of 2

verb

short-cir·​cuit ˈshȯrt-ˈsər-kət 

short-circuited; short-circuiting; short-circuits

transitive verb

1

: to apply a short circuit to or establish a short circuit in

2

: bypass sense 2

3

: frustrate, impede

intransitive verb

: to become shunted by a short circuit

The radio short-circuited.

short circuit

2 of 2

noun

: a connection of comparatively low resistance accidentally or intentionally made between points on a circuit between which the resistance is normally much greater

Synonyms of short-circuit

Verb

• impede
• hinder
• hamper
• obstruct
• embarrass

Examples of short-circuit in a Sentence

Verb

for decades the maverick filmmaker was short-circuited by a chronic lack of funds

Noun

The fire was caused by a short circuit.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

His offense carried a high success rate, with nearly 46 percent of plays gaining EPA, but four lost fumbles, including three by Baker Mayfield, short-circuited the overall production in a 33-27 defeat at Cincinnati. — Mike Sando, New York Times, 14 Sep. 2026

The letter’s authors fear that AI companies could short-circuit that process. — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 12 Sep. 2026

Noun

No general power outage resulted, but only one of the devices caused short circuits, authorities said. — ABC News, 2 Sep. 2026

Some are electrical, triggering short circuits and other mishaps. — Alison J. Stein, HubSpot, 1 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Verb

1867, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Noun

1854, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for short-circuit

• burkitt
• circuit

Kids Definition

short-circuit

1 of 2 verb

short-cir·​cuit

-ˈsər-kət

: to make a short circuit in or have a short circuit

short circuit

2 of 2 noun

: an electrical connection made between points in an electric circuit between which current does not normally flow