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
Curry might not be thrilled with so frequently making the play-in tournament, where the Warriors are 1-3, but no one can blame him for their shortcomings.
—
Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 14 Apr. 2026
Russia, in any event, is a convenient foil for Europe’s own shortcomings in Hungary.
—Kapil Komireddi, New Yorker, 10 Apr. 2026
The Cal Fire workload analysis shows the agency was fully aware of its regulatory shortcomings in the year leading up to the disaster.
—Sacbee.com, 10 Apr. 2026
Yet, with all the shortcomings developing in the first half, Konsa’s goal just two minutes before the break — Villa’s only shot on target in that time — was not a surprise.
—Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 10 Apr. 2026
Taking accountability for their shortcomings and mistakes is another green flag.
—Gili Malinsky, CNBC, 7 Apr. 2026
The show mostly avoids the politics that swirl around the design business, especially these days when critics are obsessed with the environmental evils of fast fashion and the shortcomings of an industry known to exploit labor around the globe.
—Ray Mark Rinaldi, Denver Post, 6 Apr. 2026
Each generation of parents hopes to improve upon the shortcomings of the last.
—Brianne Hogan, Parents, 5 Apr. 2026
If the president can’t change, other leaders must compensate for his shortcomings.
—Colin Pascal, Baltimore Sun, 5 Apr. 2026
Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 14 Apr. 2026
Russia, in any event, is a convenient foil for Europe’s own shortcomings in Hungary.
—Kapil Komireddi, New Yorker, 10 Apr. 2026
The Cal Fire workload analysis shows the agency was fully aware of its regulatory shortcomings in the year leading up to the disaster.
—Sacbee.com, 10 Apr. 2026
Yet, with all the shortcomings developing in the first half, Konsa’s goal just two minutes before the break — Villa’s only shot on target in that time — was not a surprise.
—Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 10 Apr. 2026
Taking accountability for their shortcomings and mistakes is another green flag.
—Gili Malinsky, CNBC, 7 Apr. 2026
The show mostly avoids the politics that swirl around the design business, especially these days when critics are obsessed with the environmental evils of fast fashion and the shortcomings of an industry known to exploit labor around the globe.
—Ray Mark Rinaldi, Denver Post, 6 Apr. 2026
Each generation of parents hopes to improve upon the shortcomings of the last.
—Brianne Hogan, Parents, 5 Apr. 2026
If the president can’t change, other leaders must compensate for his shortcomings.
—Colin Pascal, Baltimore Sun, 5 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shortcomings
Noun
-
Let’s examine their specs, strengths, weaknesses and differences, along with how Edmunds’ car experts rated them overall and in specific categories.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
15 Apr. 2026
-
Their weaknesses could be balanced with machine strengths.—
Gideon Lewis-Kraus,
New Yorker,
15 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The Warriors, for all their faults, are not that.—
Dieter Kurtenbach,
Mercury News,
15 Apr. 2026
-
Still, these are minor faults compared to an enjoyably harsh yet perceptive look at the psychology of Silicon Valley elites.—
Alison Herman,
Variety,
12 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
As reported by Artribune, the provocateur, who recently made headlines for inviting the public to confess their sins to him, is now asking participants to bring an object of their choosing to a sunrise gathering, where it can be exchanged with others.—
Devorah Lauter,
ARTnews.com,
10 Apr. 2026
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Buddhists often celebrate Vesak with processions, by visiting temples, meditating and through acts of fasting, while adherents in India may immerse themselves in the river Ganga to wash away their sins.—
Anthony Wood,
Space.com,
9 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Shortcomings.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shortcomings. Accessed 20 Apr. 2026.
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