shortsighted

adjective

short·​sight·​ed ˈshȯrt-ˌsī-təd How to pronounce shortsighted (audio)
1
: lacking foresight
2
shortsightedly adverb
shortsightedness noun

Examples of shortsighted in a Sentence

shortsighted politicians who only care about how they do in the next election The plan was dangerously shortsighted.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
However, taking isolated and odious episodes like this and using them as a pretext to impose punitive legislative and regulatory punishments on the rest of the private-investment community is shortsighted and harmful to people’s health. Steve Forbes, Forbes.com, 15 Apr. 2025 In my view, these cuts are dangerous and shortsighted. Corky Siemaszko, NBC news, 28 Mar. 2025 Two additional Trump executive orders this week would, in different ways, partly refill the swamp by expanding the remits of problematic agencies in shortsighted pursuit of glittery but temporary goals. Clyde Wayne Crews Jr., Forbes.com, 2 Apr. 2025 Congressional Democrats say the administration’s abrupt cancellation of HHS grants to states and localities worth tens of billions of dollars is shortsighted and harmful. Alexis Simendinger, The Hill, 28 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for shortsighted

Word History

First Known Use

1622, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of shortsighted was in 1622

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Cite this Entry

“Shortsighted.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shortsighted. Accessed 26 Apr. 2025.

Kids Definition

shortsighted

adjective
short·​sight·​ed ˈshȯrt-ˈsīt-əd How to pronounce shortsighted (audio)
1
2
: showing a failure to think ahead : lacking foresight
a shortsighted policy
shortsightedly adverb
shortsightedness noun

Medical Definition

shortsighted

adjective
short·​sight·​ed ˈshȯrt-ˈsīt-əd How to pronounce shortsighted (audio)
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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