as in weaknesses
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 shortcomings
Mike drives Eddie hard in the gym and is blunt about his shortcomings, not to mention his view that Joanne is holding her son back.
—
David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 16 June 2026
What begins as a story about systemic failures — the difficulty of childcare, the shortcomings of the foster system — contracts into an account of one woman’s trauma response.
—Natalia Winkelman, Variety, 16 June 2026
What is truly disgraceful is leveraging your skin color to remain employed while insisting that white privilege is responsible for your own shortcomings.
—Bobby Burack Outkick, FOXNews.com, 15 June 2026
The shortcomings — insufficient specificity, thin systemic risk analysis, bank-centric case studies — are significant but correctable.
—Mayra Rodriguez Valladares, Forbes.com, 14 June 2026
Having witnessed the shortcomings of the public-school system firsthand as a teacher, Sarah now homeschools her children.
—Scott Warren, The Atlantic, 13 June 2026
His shortcomings in Serie A were more down to poor management.
—Charlie Davies, New York Times, 13 June 2026
In all these books, animals serve as mirrors, reflecting our personal and societal shortcomings and shame, our hubris, anxiety, and moral failings.
—Literary Hub, 9 June 2026
The North Korean players’ physical aptitude was clear, but coaches were aware of their technical and tactical shortcomings.
—Andrew McNicol, CNN Money, 7 June 2026
David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 16 June 2026
What begins as a story about systemic failures — the difficulty of childcare, the shortcomings of the foster system — contracts into an account of one woman’s trauma response.
—Natalia Winkelman, Variety, 16 June 2026
What is truly disgraceful is leveraging your skin color to remain employed while insisting that white privilege is responsible for your own shortcomings.
—Bobby Burack Outkick, FOXNews.com, 15 June 2026
The shortcomings — insufficient specificity, thin systemic risk analysis, bank-centric case studies — are significant but correctable.
—Mayra Rodriguez Valladares, Forbes.com, 14 June 2026
Having witnessed the shortcomings of the public-school system firsthand as a teacher, Sarah now homeschools her children.
—Scott Warren, The Atlantic, 13 June 2026
His shortcomings in Serie A were more down to poor management.
—Charlie Davies, New York Times, 13 June 2026
In all these books, animals serve as mirrors, reflecting our personal and societal shortcomings and shame, our hubris, anxiety, and moral failings.
—Literary Hub, 9 June 2026
The North Korean players’ physical aptitude was clear, but coaches were aware of their technical and tactical shortcomings.
—Andrew McNicol, CNN Money, 7 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shortcomings
Noun
-
Bedoya offers insights on this year’s biggest contenders, plus gives his favorites, sleepers and a look at Team USA’s strengths and weaknesses heading into the Cup.—
Andre Fernandez,
Miami Herald,
11 June 2026
-
The note, which was published by Xbox on Xbox Wire, does not address potential layoffs but instead focuses on specific weaknesses within the division, including a 3% accountability margin for the fiscal year.—
Jennifer Maas,
Variety,
10 June 2026
Noun
-
Equipped with cameras and sensors, the robots can identify faults such as broken wires, worn components, and abnormal temperature changes that could signal potential failures, reports the South China Morning Post (SCMP).—
Jijo Malayil,
Interesting Engineering,
11 June 2026
-
The arcing came at the same time as electrical faults recorded by SCE’s equipment some 5 miles away on the Eagle Rock-Gould transmission line.—
Tony Saavedra,
Daily News,
10 June 2026
Noun
-
That relationship was based on sinners confessing their sins to this vicar.—
Pat Saperstein,
Variety,
14 June 2026
-
This lifelong Black Catholic bears no illusions about the sins of my church.—
Laura Washington,
Mercury News,
9 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Shortcomings.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shortcomings. Accessed 18 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
