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
But the attempt has revealed shortcomings and vulnerabilities that were waiting to be exploited—and can no longer be ignored.
—
Shane Harris, The Atlantic, 27 Apr. 2026
The third-year quarterback masked a number of the team’s roster deficiencies in his rookie season, but the combination of injuries, a tougher schedule and roster shortcomings derailed his second season.
—Nicki Jhabvala, New York Times, 26 Apr. 2026
But there are also filmmakers who prize obsolescent technologies precisely for their apparent shortcomings.
—Dennis Lim, The New York Review of Books, 25 Apr. 2026
Harris’ death underscored 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.
—Tess Kenny, Chicago Tribune, 25 Apr. 2026
Backed by a raucous sellout crowd hungry for Orange County’s first playoff hockey since 2018, the Ducks overcame their season-long defensive shortcomings by outscoring the powerhouse Oilers even after Connor McDavid recorded his first points of the series.
—Los Angeles Times, 25 Apr. 2026
It was given a perfunctory update late last year to update its chip, but little effort was made to address any of its fundamental shortcomings, including the price.
—ArsTechnica, 24 Apr. 2026
In his prime, the 6-9 Vucevic would have been an ideal complement to Adebayo, despite the limited footspeed and defensive shortcomings.
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 22 Apr. 2026
At the time of the inspection in March 2024 the financial regulator found weaknesses in risk assessments, routines and customer due diligence, as well as shortcomings in ongoing follow-up of customer relationships and outsourcing, according to a statement on Thursday.
—Evelina Youcefi, Bloomberg, 16 Apr. 2026
Shane Harris, The Atlantic, 27 Apr. 2026
The third-year quarterback masked a number of the team’s roster deficiencies in his rookie season, but the combination of injuries, a tougher schedule and roster shortcomings derailed his second season.
—Nicki Jhabvala, New York Times, 26 Apr. 2026
But there are also filmmakers who prize obsolescent technologies precisely for their apparent shortcomings.
—Dennis Lim, The New York Review of Books, 25 Apr. 2026
Harris’ death underscored 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.
—Tess Kenny, Chicago Tribune, 25 Apr. 2026
Backed by a raucous sellout crowd hungry for Orange County’s first playoff hockey since 2018, the Ducks overcame their season-long defensive shortcomings by outscoring the powerhouse Oilers even after Connor McDavid recorded his first points of the series.
—Los Angeles Times, 25 Apr. 2026
It was given a perfunctory update late last year to update its chip, but little effort was made to address any of its fundamental shortcomings, including the price.
—ArsTechnica, 24 Apr. 2026
In his prime, the 6-9 Vucevic would have been an ideal complement to Adebayo, despite the limited footspeed and defensive shortcomings.
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 22 Apr. 2026
At the time of the inspection in March 2024 the financial regulator found weaknesses in risk assessments, routines and customer due diligence, as well as shortcomings in ongoing follow-up of customer relationships and outsourcing, according to a statement on Thursday.
—Evelina Youcefi, Bloomberg, 16 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shortcomings
Noun
-
For the first season in 2014, host Sarah Koenig delved into the 1999 murder of Baltimore high schooler Hae Min Lee, finding weaknesses in the case that led to the conviction of her ex-boyfriend, Adnan Syed.—
The Week US,
TheWeek,
4 May 2026
-
The Thunder are just that good – picking apart opponents to exploit weaknesses while shooting at a highly efficient clip from the field.—
Benjamin Royer,
Oc Register,
4 May 2026
Noun
-
Historian Victor Davis Hansen famously attributed some of the Allies’ success in World War II to their ability to quickly recognize and address the faults of their strategic bombing campaigns.—
Cody Turner,
The Conversation,
1 May 2026
-
And later, when water levels dropped, tectonics shifted, reefs grew, and the ice age locked away the planet’s water supplies into glaciers, and new faults thrust the land skyward to dry?—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
30 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
There are worse sins in the world.—
Joshua Rothkopf,
Los Angeles Times,
17 Apr. 2026
-
Believers confess their sins to a priest, receive spiritual guidance and absolution and typically are required to make an act of contrition like saying specific prayers.—
Corky Siemaszko,
NBC news,
16 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Shortcomings.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shortcomings. Accessed 9 May. 2026.
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