shortcoming
noun
short·com·ing
ˈshȯrt-ˌkə-miŋ 
ˌshȯrt-ˈkə-
: an imperfection or lack that detracts from the whole
also
: the quality or state of being flawed or lacking
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 Broncos danced on a precarious edge all day because of shortcomings almost everywhere else, some of which could pose real concerns.
—
Nick Kosmider, New York Times, 12 Oct. 2025
For decades, academic historians have painstakingly documented those efforts and their mingled successes and shortcomings.
—Jane Kamensky, The Atlantic, 10 Oct. 2025
Our research is consistent with this intuition about the shortcomings of social exchange theory.
—Athena Aktipis, The Conversation, 10 Oct. 2025
The difference is that IMAX 70mm prints are created as optical blow-ups from the VistaVision negative — a difference that intellectually sounds like a shortcoming, but which had a positive effect on the movie’s overall emotional impact.
—Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 7 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for shortcoming
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Nick Kosmider, New York Times, 12 Oct. 2025
For decades, academic historians have painstakingly documented those efforts and their mingled successes and shortcomings.
—Jane Kamensky, The Atlantic, 10 Oct. 2025
Our research is consistent with this intuition about the shortcomings of social exchange theory.
—Athena Aktipis, The Conversation, 10 Oct. 2025
The difference is that IMAX 70mm prints are created as optical blow-ups from the VistaVision negative — a difference that intellectually sounds like a shortcoming, but which had a positive effect on the movie’s overall emotional impact.
—Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 7 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for shortcoming
Cite this Entry
“Shortcoming.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shortcoming. Accessed 14 Oct. 2025.
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shortcoming
noun
short·com·ing
ˈshȯrt-ˌkəm-iŋ
(ˈ)shȯrt-ˈkəm-
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