SHORTCOMING Synonyms: 38 Similar and Opposite Words

shortcoming

noun

ˈshȯrt-ˌkə-miŋ

Definition of shortcoming

as in weakness

a defect in character a wife who never tires of listing her husband's perceived shortcomings

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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 The trustee had about a year to make up for the mall’s financial shortcomings. — Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 1 Sep. 2026 Career Fit Is a Business Issue There is a persistent tendency in the legal profession to interpret difficulty in a role as a personal shortcoming. — Malana Vantyler, USA Today, 26 Aug. 2026 Some ergonomic shortcomings remain, such as the fact that its precious screen real estate can’t display Ferrari’s iconic tachometer and a GPS screen simultaneously. — Basem Wasef, Robb Report, 26 Aug. 2026 The club’s shortcomings were particularly evident in the Arsenal loss, as Mateo Kovačić and Nico O’Reilly were outclassed all afternoon. — Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 21 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for shortcoming

Recent Examples of Synonyms for shortcoming

Noun

McDaniel has shown the ability to scheme around offensive line weakness.

— Ted Nguyen, New York Times, 7 Sep. 2026
Their failure to receive one may be attributed to their having vague symptoms, such as a general feeling of malaise, weakness, or fluctuating muscle pain.

— Jerome Groopman, The New York Review of Books, 5 Sep. 2026

Definition of weakness

Noun

After investigating 600 items of evidence related to the substation, the National Energy System Operator ruled out suspicious activity in a report saying a preventable moisture fault caused the fire, leaving almost 70,000 homes without power.

— Henry Austin, NBC news, 8 Sep. 2026
Others criticized them for often being the progeny of Asian mothers and white fathers, as though this were somehow their fault.

— E. Alex Jung, Vulture, 8 Sep. 2026

Definition of fault

Noun

Any union that turns a blind eye when their own members commit that same sin is an embarrassment to organized labor.

— Levi Weaver, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026
For one thing covetousness, as opposed to the more concrete sins like theft or murder or adultery, is a thought crime, and almost all that goes on here, happens within the minds of the characters.

— Jessica Kiang, Variety, 6 Sep. 2026

Definition of sin

Noun

According to the brand, this treatment was designed to address hereditary factors, hormonal fluctuations, nutritional deficiencies, and stress.

— Carly Cardellino Vaccaro, InStyle, 5 Sep. 2026
The spotlight on Thompson’s deficiencies will shine even brighter once he’s getting paid north of $40 million per season.

— William Guillory, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2026

Definition of deficiency

Noun

Putin dismissed the allegations, saying Berlin aims to distract from its own failings and dissatisfaction among voters.

— ABC News, ABC News, 3 Sep. 2026
Putin dismissed the allegations, saying Berlin wants to distract from its own failings and dissatisfaction among voters.

— Lorne Cook, Los Angeles Times, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of failing

Browse Nearby Words

short-circuits

shortcoming

shortcomings

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“Shortcoming.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shortcoming. Accessed 15 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of shortcoming

noun

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