shortcoming
noun
short·com·ing
ˈshȯrt-ˌkə-miŋ 
ˌshȯrt-ˈkə-
: an imperfection or lack that detracts from the whole
also
: the quality or state of being flawed or lacking
Synonyms
Examples of shortcoming in a Sentence
Her lack of attention to detail is her biggest shortcoming.
The main shortcoming of this camera is that it uses up batteries quickly.
Recent Examples on the Web
Professors in universities around the country have begun begrudgingly using AI detection software despite recognizing its known accuracy shortcomings.
—
Mack Degeurin, Popular Science, 11 Apr. 2024
Sanders’ proposal echoes what patient-advocates have been calling for since the beginning of the pandemic, a demand that has only become more forceful with time (and the shortcomings of existing long Covid research).
—Isabella Cueto, STAT, 11 Apr. 2024
Mental health risks among athletes Both the authors and experts uninvolved in the study acknowledge some shortcomings of the research.
—Kristen Rogers, CNN, 10 Apr. 2024
While there's concerns that not all glasses marketed as eclipse glasses live up to that standard, experts say usually the shortcomings aren't significant.
—Joel Shannon, USA TODAY, 27 Mar. 2024
The lesson to be learned from the shortcomings of utilitarianism is not that the philosophy should be abandoned, but rather that other values besides maximizing total welfare must also guide behavior.
—James Broughel, Forbes, 29 Mar. 2024
In a bright conference room in Oakland, California, Hassenfeld and I discussed corruption in EA, the shortcomings of storytelling, and whether some lives are more worth saving than others.
—Virginia Heffernan, WIRED, 27 Mar. 2024
Such patients tend to fixate on the shortcomings of these lenses despite their potential advantages.
—Discover Magazine, 27 Mar. 2024
Babes The Bottom Line Comedic strengths compensate for dramatic shortcomings.
—Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 10 Mar. 2024
Mack Degeurin, Popular Science, 11 Apr. 2024
Sanders’ proposal echoes what patient-advocates have been calling for since the beginning of the pandemic, a demand that has only become more forceful with time (and the shortcomings of existing long Covid research).
—Isabella Cueto, STAT, 11 Apr. 2024
Mental health risks among athletes Both the authors and experts uninvolved in the study acknowledge some shortcomings of the research.
—Kristen Rogers, CNN, 10 Apr. 2024
While there's concerns that not all glasses marketed as eclipse glasses live up to that standard, experts say usually the shortcomings aren't significant.
—Joel Shannon, USA TODAY, 27 Mar. 2024
The lesson to be learned from the shortcomings of utilitarianism is not that the philosophy should be abandoned, but rather that other values besides maximizing total welfare must also guide behavior.
—James Broughel, Forbes, 29 Mar. 2024
In a bright conference room in Oakland, California, Hassenfeld and I discussed corruption in EA, the shortcomings of storytelling, and whether some lives are more worth saving than others.
—Virginia Heffernan, WIRED, 27 Mar. 2024
Such patients tend to fixate on the shortcomings of these lenses despite their potential advantages.
—Discover Magazine, 27 Mar. 2024
Babes The Bottom Line Comedic strengths compensate for dramatic shortcomings.
—Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 10 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'shortcoming.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near shortcoming
Cite this Entry
“Shortcoming.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shortcoming. Accessed 16 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
shortcoming
noun
short·com·ing
ˈshȯrt-ˌkəm-iŋ
(ˈ)shȯrt-ˈkəm-
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share