as in weaknesses
a defect in character
a wife who never tires of listing her husband's perceived shortcomings
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Recent Examples of shortcomings
The Johnnies thrive on messy, on disruptive pressure that limit possessions to compensate for what is ordinarily their own offensive shortcomings.
—
Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 28 Mar. 2026
Harris’ death underscores growing concerns about the risks of riding small, low-speed electric vehicles and the shortcomings of the user agreements riders have with the companies that rent them.
—Hope Moses, Chicago Tribune, 25 Mar. 2026
Whether the investments pay off remains to be seen, but any shortcomings won’t be for lack of resources.
—Justin Williams, New York Times, 25 Mar. 2026
Tagovailoa, sporting a gray T-shirt and white ball cap, went through the pains and shortcomings of his past, his expectations for 2026 and the quarterback battle that awaits him in Flowery Branch.
—Daniel Flick, AJC.com, 24 Mar. 2026
One of the most common explanations for this (and for the University City restaurant scene’s shortcomings in general) has to do with how dining districts tend to develop in the first place.
—Théoden Janes, Charlotte Observer, 24 Mar. 2026
Those ideals inspired what was written into the Constitution, and the very idea that our Constitution must be amended and our nation improved by future generations who could redeem their shortcomings and address their imperfections through collective struggle and the democratic process.
—CBS News, 19 Mar. 2026
Greifinger, the correctional health expert, said the sheriff’s office should commission an independent mortality review to study whether any jail operations, staffing or other shortcomings are exacerbating external factors and resulting in preventable deaths.
—Dallas Morning News, 19 Mar. 2026
Acknowledging these shortcomings, FedRAMP began to take a harder look at new packages, a former reviewer said.
—Renee Dudley, ProPublica, 18 Mar. 2026
Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 28 Mar. 2026
Harris’ death underscores growing concerns about the risks of riding small, low-speed electric vehicles and the shortcomings of the user agreements riders have with the companies that rent them.
—Hope Moses, Chicago Tribune, 25 Mar. 2026
Whether the investments pay off remains to be seen, but any shortcomings won’t be for lack of resources.
—Justin Williams, New York Times, 25 Mar. 2026
Tagovailoa, sporting a gray T-shirt and white ball cap, went through the pains and shortcomings of his past, his expectations for 2026 and the quarterback battle that awaits him in Flowery Branch.
—Daniel Flick, AJC.com, 24 Mar. 2026
One of the most common explanations for this (and for the University City restaurant scene’s shortcomings in general) has to do with how dining districts tend to develop in the first place.
—Théoden Janes, Charlotte Observer, 24 Mar. 2026
Those ideals inspired what was written into the Constitution, and the very idea that our Constitution must be amended and our nation improved by future generations who could redeem their shortcomings and address their imperfections through collective struggle and the democratic process.
—CBS News, 19 Mar. 2026
Greifinger, the correctional health expert, said the sheriff’s office should commission an independent mortality review to study whether any jail operations, staffing or other shortcomings are exacerbating external factors and resulting in preventable deaths.
—Dallas Morning News, 19 Mar. 2026
Acknowledging these shortcomings, FedRAMP began to take a harder look at new packages, a former reviewer said.
—Renee Dudley, ProPublica, 18 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shortcomings
Noun
-
To actually take stock of the strengths and weaknesses and act accordingly.—
Megan Feringa,
New York Times,
30 Mar. 2026
-
This past week showcased the strengths of carrots and the weaknesses of sticks.—
Editorial Board,
Washington Post,
29 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The tectonic architecture of the Aegean Sea is messy, rife with crisscrossing faults and myriad volcanoes that make unraveling what happens at depth extremely difficult.—
Quanta Magazine,
Quanta Magazine,
27 Mar. 2026
-
Tonga is situated on the Pacific Ring of Fire, the arc of seismic faults where much of the world’s earthquake and volcanic activity occurs.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
24 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Their sins will be washed away by the waters of liberty.—
City News Service,
Oc Register,
28 Mar. 2026
-
Whatever Heidegger’s political sins, his philosophy restores a clarity our therapeutic culture fears.—
The Week UK,
TheWeek,
27 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Shortcomings.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shortcomings. Accessed 4 Apr. 2026.
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