short-cir·cuit
ˈshȯrt-ˈsər-kət 
short-circuited; short-circuiting; short-circuits
1
: to apply a short circuit to or establish a short circuit in
2
: to become shunted by a short circuit
The radio short-circuited.
: a connection of comparatively low resistance accidentally or intentionally made between points on a circuit between which the resistance is normally much greater
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
Louisa Thomas, New Yorker, 31 Aug. 2025
When students outsource their thinking to machines, they short-circuit the very process that a college education is meant to cultivate.
—Matthew Scogin, Forbes.com, 31 Aug. 2025
Steven Carlini, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2025
Water from flooding can damage auto electrical systems Water can cause short circuits in a car’s electrical system, affecting everything from lights and dashboard displays to more critical components like airbags and the car’s computer, according to Consumer Reports.
—Rick Barrett, jsonline.com, 13 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for short-circuit
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Verb
This kind of overthinking can short-circuit the mind-body connection; athletes train themselves for years to avoid it in high-stakes circumstances.
—Louisa Thomas, New Yorker, 31 Aug. 2025
When students outsource their thinking to machines, they short-circuit the very process that a college education is meant to cultivate.
—Matthew Scogin, Forbes.com, 31 Aug. 2025
Noun
New software that integrates into CAD can create detailed digital twin models, enabling comprehensive analysis and simulation of the data center's entire electrical infrastructure for things like short circuit analysis, load flow analysis, arc flash studies and energy usage.
—Steven Carlini, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2025
Water from flooding can damage auto electrical systems Water can cause short circuits in a car’s electrical system, affecting everything from lights and dashboard displays to more critical components like airbags and the car’s computer, according to Consumer Reports.
—Rick Barrett, jsonline.com, 13 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for short-circuit
Cite this Entry
“Short-circuit.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/short-circuit. Accessed 5 Sep. 2025.
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