as in weakness
a defect in character
a wife who never tires of listing her husband's perceived shortcomings
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of shortcoming
Theories about this abound—all have their evidentiary shortcomings—but Greenblatt agrees with a common one that sees Marlowe traveling to France and uncovering Catholic conspiracies against the Crown.
—
Isaac Butler, The Atlantic, 3 Nov. 2025
Those shortcomings have included a heavy emphasis on finding defensive help in the days and weeks leading up to the NFL trade deadline, specifically at defensive end and linebacker.
—Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 3 Nov. 2025
But, even with this major shortcoming, my home still felt much cleaner, smelled fresher, and honestly felt even a tad bit more peaceful at the end of the day.
—Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 2 Nov. 2025
His own composer as usual, Amenabar here tends to underline the film’s shortcomings, rather than elevate its idiosyncrasies with an original score that’s too conventional by half.
—Dennis Harvey, Variety, 31 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for shortcoming
Isaac Butler, The Atlantic, 3 Nov. 2025
Those shortcomings have included a heavy emphasis on finding defensive help in the days and weeks leading up to the NFL trade deadline, specifically at defensive end and linebacker.
—Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 3 Nov. 2025
But, even with this major shortcoming, my home still felt much cleaner, smelled fresher, and honestly felt even a tad bit more peaceful at the end of the day.
—Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 2 Nov. 2025
His own composer as usual, Amenabar here tends to underline the film’s shortcomings, rather than elevate its idiosyncrasies with an original score that’s too conventional by half.
—Dennis Harvey, Variety, 31 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for shortcoming
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shortcoming
Noun
-
The problem with that is that good teams — the winning franchises — build their teams inside-out by fortifying the offensive and defensive lines, which just happen to be the areas of weakness this season.—
Omar Kelly
November 7,
Miami Herald,
7 Nov. 2025
-
Exports weren’t the only area that saw surprise weakness.—
Glenn Taylor,
Sourcing Journal,
7 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Meanwhile, when asked who is to blame, 58% of those surveyed said both Disney and Google are equally at fault, while 37% point the finger at Disney and 5% blame Google.—
Todd Spangler,
Variety,
6 Nov. 2025
-
Some of them have not been his fault.—
Reice Shipley,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
If, in Christian doctrine, the soul’s purpose is to transcend the body, then a soulless creature has no sin to commit.—
Katie Rife,
Vulture,
9 Nov. 2025
-
The anthology’s first volume explores themes of ancestral sin, family, piety and consequence.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
5 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Mike Vrabel has breathed life into the New England Patriots, guiding them to a 7-2 start while riding a six-game winning streak despite fielding a roster that still has its fair share of deficiencies.—
Mike Jones,
New York Times,
9 Nov. 2025
-
Opponents raised concerns about the cost of new construction and long-term debt, arguing that renovations could have addressed the library’s deficiencies.—
Daniel Hunt,
Sacbee.com,
8 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
The editor of the Pine Bluff Commercial earned second place for commentary in a contest organized by America's Newspapers for his coverage of the failings of a city tax initiative that promised civic and economic restoration.—
Grant Lancaster,
Arkansas Online,
7 Nov. 2025
-
The new report only adds to a number of security failings exposed by the heist.—
Joseph Ataman,
CNN Money,
6 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Shortcoming.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shortcoming. Accessed 14 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share