shortcoming

short·com·ing | \ ˈshȯrt-ˌkə-miŋ

How to pronounce shortcoming (audio)

, ˌshȯrt-ˈkə- \

Definition of shortcoming

: an imperfection or lack that detracts from the whole also : the quality or state of being flawed or lacking

Synonyms & Antonyms Example Sentences Learn More about shortcoming

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Examples of shortcoming in a Sentence

Her lack of attention to detail is her biggest shortcoming. The main shortcoming of this camera is that it uses up batteries quickly.

Recent Examples on the Web The resolution, the result of a weekslong effort by Australia calling for a review of the WHO's shortcomings regarding the pandemic, was supported by the European Union, the United Kingdom, a coalition of African countries, and others. — Jerry Dunleavy, Washington Examiner, "WHO countries unanimously approve ‘independent’ investigation of coronavirus response," 19 May 2020 Queen and Harrison were brought in to directly address the sort of shortcomings that allowed Tennessee running back Derrick Henry to roll for 195 yards in the 28-12 playoff loss than ended the Ravens’ 2019 season. — Nathan Baird, cleveland, "Why the Baltimore Ravens doubled up at linebacker with Ohio State football’s Malik Harrison in NFL Draft 2020," 28 Apr. 2020 But the corporate loophole wasn’t the only one of the Paycheck Protection Program shortcomings. — J.c. Pan, The New Republic, "America’s Post-Pandemic Monoculture," 27 Apr. 2020 At the heart of the intelligence shortcomings about North Korea is its extremely closed nature. — Kim Tong-hyung, Anchorage Daily News, "Questions over North Korean leader’s health highlight limits of intelligence services," 27 Apr. 2020 The change, the researchers said, still doesn’t address one of the chief shortcomings of the IAMs abuse, which is the lack of notice to users that an app requires a potentially privacy-invading permission. — Dan Goodin, Ars Technica, ">4,000 Android apps silently access your installed software," 28 Mar. 2020 But the crisis could also test some of the shortcomings of the start-up ecosystem. — Washington Post, "The Technology 202: Start-up leaders and technology investors want to help fight the coronavirus," 24 Mar. 2020 Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker, a Republican, personally pointed out to President Trump some of the shortcomings in coordination during a conference call earlier this week. — Molly Hooper, CBS News, "Coronavirus: Massachusetts congressman angry about "lack of coordination" from White House," 21 Mar. 2020 What are some of the shortcomings of these systems? — Jennifer Gonnerman, The New Yorker, "How Prisons and Jails Can Respond to the Coronavirus," 14 Mar. 2020

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'shortcoming.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Dictionary Entries near shortcoming

short-circuiter

Statistics for shortcoming

Last Updated

25 May 2020

Cite this Entry

“Shortcoming.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shortcoming. Accessed 31 May. 2020.

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More Definitions for shortcoming

shortcoming

noun

English Language Learners Definition of shortcoming

: a weakness in someone's character : a personal fault or failing

: a bad feature : a flaw or defect in something

See the full definition for shortcoming in the English Language Learners Dictionary

shortcoming

short·com·ing | \ ˈshȯrt-ˌkə-miŋ

\

Kids Definition of shortcoming

: fault sense 1 … her most serious shortcoming seemed to be a tendency to fall into daydreams in the middle of a task …— Lucy Maud Montgomery, Anne of Green Gables

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