shortsighted

adjective

short·​sight·​ed ˈshȯrt-ˌsī-təd 

1

: lacking foresight

2

: nearsighted

shortsightedly adverb

shortsightedness noun

Synonyms

• myopic
• nearsighted

Examples of shortsighted in a Sentence

shortsighted politicians who only care about how they do in the next election

The plan was dangerously shortsighted.

Recent Examples on the Web

Atom’s order to alter Nibs’ memory seems wildly shortsighted, if the plan was to keep her around the other hybrids. —Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 9 Sep. 2025

Today’s shortsighted, sellout city politicians are killing the golden goose under the ruse that affordable housing is the be-all and the end-all of life in San Diego. —U T Readers, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Sep. 2025

That seems a little shortsighted. —Davis Winkie, USA Today, 4 Sep. 2025

But that is shortsighted and surface level. —Britney Porter, Forbes.com, 1 Sep. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1622, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for shortsighted

• affrighted
• alighted
• benighted
• delighted
• excited
• farsighted
• highlighted
• ignited
• incited
• indicted
• invited
• nearsighted

Kids Definition

shortsighted

adjective

short·​sight·​ed ˈshȯrt-ˈsīt-əd 

1

: nearsighted

2

: showing a failure to think ahead : lacking foresight

a shortsighted policy

shortsightedly adverb

shortsightedness noun

Medical Definition

shortsighted

adjective

short·​sight·​ed ˈshȯrt-ˈsīt-əd 

: nearsighted