shortcoming

noun

ˈshȯrt-ˌkə-miŋ How to pronounce shortcoming (audio)
Definition of shortcomingnext
as in weakness
a defect in character a wife who never tires of listing her husband's perceived shortcomings

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 Lee said the Buildings Department, the Fire Services Department and the Labor Department had shortcomings in supervision over fire hazards of the apartment complex. — ABC News, 29 Oct. 2026 But with the development of new display technologies over the past 20 years that have ultra-narrow band spectra — such as OLED, LEDs with KSF phosphors, and quantum dots — CIE 1931’s shortcomings are increasingly apparent. — John Higgins, The Verge, 29 Oct. 2026 Nothing exposes the shortcomings of a yachting crew more clearly than a group of demanding guests. — Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 27 Oct. 2026 But if the economic environment is unfavorable, or the infrastructure and support systems needed to sustain that new livelihood are absent, those shortcomings may explain the outcome as much as individual decisions do. — Charles Wratto, The Conversation, 27 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for shortcoming
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shortcoming
  1. weakness
  2. fault
  3. sin
  4. deficiency
  5. failing
Noun
  • Uruguay's secularism has roots in the weakness of its colonial church.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 7 Nov. 2026
  • Google DeepMind researchers have used AI agents to discover cryptographic techniques that expose weaknesses in legacy RSA encryption up to 1,600 times faster than previous methods.
    — Muskan Bhatia, Interesting Engineering, 6 Nov. 2026
Definition of weakness
Noun
  • The interception — which came after a controversial review found that a first-and-goal pass had bounced off Tommy Tremble’s wrist and into the waiting hands of a Broncos defender — was no fault of Young’s.
    — Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 8 Nov. 2026
  • Even with the faults of Sunday’s game, the defense can use the performance as a foundation for improvement going forward.
    — Peter Warren, Houston Chronicle, 8 Nov. 2026
Definition of fault
Noun
  • The youngster replaced Feyi-Waboso, who was hurt from Angus Bell's hip-drop tackle that earned the prop 10 minutes in the sin-bin, and made an instant impact with a left-wing surge that set up Van Poortvliet’s try.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 8 Nov. 2026
  • Some would argue that Paxton’s sins are more exotic than those of your ordinary Texan.
    — Aidan McLaughlin, Vanity Fair, 30 Oct. 2026
Definition of sin
Noun
  • Ferritin levels can fall before haemoglobin levels, meaning someone can have iron deficiency without yet developing anemia.
    — Amy Francombe, Vogue, 6 Nov. 2026
  • The researchers also saw the effect in mice with type 2 diabetes and severe insulin deficiency.
    — Deirdre Bardolf, FOXNews.com, 6 Nov. 2026
Definition of deficiency
Noun
  • In the documentation, the company is candid about its failings.
    — Frank Landymore, Futurism, 14 Oct. 2026
  • The Army report highlighted how the air traffic controller at Reagan National Airport could have prevented the crash, but also acknowledged the military’s own failings and other contributing factors.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of failing

Browse Nearby Words

short-circuits
shortcoming
shortcomings
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Shortcoming.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shortcoming. Accessed 14 Nov. 2026.

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