SHORTCOMINGS Synonyms: 34 Similar and Opposite Words

shortcomings

noun

plural of shortcoming

as in weaknesses

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

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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 By the August meeting, shortcomings in the rollout were identified. — Arkansas Online, 18 Oct. 2026 Jenae and Shalanda walk Brittany through how our aging power grid - coupled with climate change, the strain of new technologies, and a lack of investment - exposes the systemic shortcomings that very well might leave all of us in the dark. — October 16, NPR, 16 Oct. 2026 The new Kaleido 4 technology addresses some of Kaleido 3’s shortcomings with improved color reproduction, better contrast, and faster screen refreshes. — Andrew Liszewski, The Verge, 15 Oct. 2026 Parent company Match Group has since moved to address the shortcomings with new verification requirements and upgraded detection technology. — Vicky Nguyen, NBC news, 13 Oct. 2026 But like the games against North Carolina and Central Florida, the Horned Frogs couldn’t overcome their own shortcomings, especially offensively. — Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 12 Oct. 2026 Democrats responded to the news by accusing Republicans of using vast amounts of cash to mask their shortcomings. — Jill Colvin, Los Angeles Times, 12 Oct. 2026 In at least one instance, all of Ray Gunn‘s biggest shortcomings converge in the most leadenly predictable of ways. — Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 10 Oct. 2026 Subsequent investigation into his death revealed a series of workplace safety shortcomings. — William J. Ford, Baltimore Sun, 8 Oct. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for shortcomings

Noun

Every monster has unique strengths and weaknesses, and each demands a different response.

— Jeff DeGraff, Fortune, 17 Oct. 2026
As rules and institutions constrain less and brute power matters more, countries will seek partners to help them blunt sanctions, access critical technologies, compensate for military weaknesses, expand their room for maneuver, and resist isolation.

— Andrea Kendall-Taylor, Foreign Affairs, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of weaknesses

Noun

Per the official logline, in the final season, as the survivors race to bury their sins before rescue arrives and an old flame roars back into town with plans of her own.

— Denise Petski, Deadline, 14 Oct. 2026
Many crimes, including property crimes like burglary or moral sins such as adultery, were punishable by death in the American colonies.

— Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of sins

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shortcoming

shortcomings

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“Shortcomings.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shortcomings. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of shortcomings

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