as in to impede
to create difficulty for the work or activity of
for decades the maverick filmmaker was short-circuited by a chronic lack of funds
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Recent Examples of short-circuit
To be frank, Jarrett’s rush pattern may have short-circuited the Next Gen Stats GPS system with more twists, twirls and figure-eights than an Olympic figure skating routine.
—
Dan Wiederer, New York Times, 15 Jan. 2026
Portelli brought up two more problems that may have short-circuited the boom.
—Daniel Engber, The Atlantic, 20 Dec. 2025
This can happen when a battery cell short-circuits and creates a huge surge in temperature, according to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC).
—Gabrielle Rockson, PEOPLE, 18 Dec. 2025
The team’s gold cuboid antenna measured 300 by 300 by 50 nanometers, but uneven currents would generate filaments that eventually short-circuited the pixel.
—Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 24 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for short-circuit
Dan Wiederer, New York Times, 15 Jan. 2026
Portelli brought up two more problems that may have short-circuited the boom.
—Daniel Engber, The Atlantic, 20 Dec. 2025
This can happen when a battery cell short-circuits and creates a huge surge in temperature, according to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC).
—Gabrielle Rockson, PEOPLE, 18 Dec. 2025
The team’s gold cuboid antenna measured 300 by 300 by 50 nanometers, but uneven currents would generate filaments that eventually short-circuited the pixel.
—Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 24 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for short-circuit
Recent Examples of Synonyms for short-circuit
Verb
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Homan said there will be zero tolerance for interfering, impeding or assaulting officers.—
Jeanine Santucci,
USA Today,
30 Jan. 2026
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While parking in the driveway may be convenient, cars cannot block the sidewalk or impede pedestrians passing by.—
Marley Malenfant,
Austin American Statesman,
30 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The instigators were allowed to go beyond peaceful protests to hindering law enforcement from doing their job which escalated with the result of two people tragically losing their lives.—
Voice of the People,
New York Daily News,
1 Feb. 2026
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Outdoor air quality and temperature are key—clean, cool air can help, but polluted or overly dry air can hinder sleep.—
Caroline Lubinsky,
Martha Stewart,
31 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Such giants have been hampered by worries that their stock prices shot too high and became too expensive following their years-long dominance of the market.—
Stan Choe,
Los Angeles Times,
3 Feb. 2026
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Speaking outside the downtown Los Angeles courthouse, Lemon said his arrest would not hamper his work in the press.—
Jack Dunn,
Variety,
3 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The kangaroo was reportedly obstructing highway traffic in Nelson County, Virginia.—
Martin Weil,
Washington Post,
3 Feb. 2026
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David Schenker, senior fellow at The Washington Institute for Near East Policy, testified that while Hezbollah has been weakened militarily, the pace of disarmament remains slow and obstructed.—
Efrat Lachter,
FOXNews.com,
3 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The assignment is to sit there and talk about it in public and possibly embarrass yourself by getting into a verbal confrontation in front of a restaurant of otherwise uninterested bystanders.—
Brian Moylan,
Vulture,
30 Jan. 2026
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Recently, Ryan spoke about the Beckham situation, the process of writing material as a mother without embarrassing her kids and her new goal of returning to the career trajectory of her pre-pregnant self in the near future.—
Deputy Entertainment,
Los Angeles Times,
28 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Short-circuit.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/short-circuit. Accessed 5 Feb. 2026.
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