shortsighted

adjective

short·​sight·​ed ˈshȯrt-ˌsī-təd 

1

: lacking foresight

2

: nearsighted

shortsightedly adverb

shortsightedness noun

Synonyms of shortsighted

• 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

But American shipbuilding is in shambles, due to decades of shortsighted policies and neglect. —Lesley Stahl, CBS News, 22 Mar. 2026

Beyond the impact on the health of the affected recipients, multiple Democratic and Republican lawmakers said the cuts were shortsighted. —Anthony Man, Sun Sentinel, 21 Mar. 2026

But Wattley is right that condemning elderly parole based on the monstrous deeds of these child predators is shortsighted. —Los Angeles Times, 16 Mar. 2026

In retrospect, this was probably shortsighted. —Kathleen Walsh, Vulture, 12 Mar. 2026

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