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
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
Less than three weeks after his storybook St. John’s season came to a sudden end, the Hall of Fame coach acknowledged a shortcoming that’s helped drive his roster building this spring.
—
Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 17 Apr. 2025
And while the firings of three coaches at the end of last season could be interpreted as a warning shot to Hyde, Elias surely knows the responsibility for the team’s current shortcomings falls more on him than his manager.
—Ken Rosenthal, New York Times, 14 Apr. 2025
Fort Worth Mayor Mattie Parker called attention to Fort Worth ISD’s shortcomings, compared to other urban school districts across Texas, at the beginning of the 2024-2025 school year.
—Lina Ruiz, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 12 Apr. 2025
Outsourcing certain business practices can create exposure to shortcomings in areas like fair labor, public transparency and environmental protection.
—Vidya Plainfield, Forbes.com, 7 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for shortcoming
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Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 17 Apr. 2025
And while the firings of three coaches at the end of last season could be interpreted as a warning shot to Hyde, Elias surely knows the responsibility for the team’s current shortcomings falls more on him than his manager.
—Ken Rosenthal, New York Times, 14 Apr. 2025
Fort Worth Mayor Mattie Parker called attention to Fort Worth ISD’s shortcomings, compared to other urban school districts across Texas, at the beginning of the 2024-2025 school year.
—Lina Ruiz, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 12 Apr. 2025
Outsourcing certain business practices can create exposure to shortcomings in areas like fair labor, public transparency and environmental protection.
—Vidya Plainfield, Forbes.com, 7 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for shortcoming
Cite this Entry
“Shortcoming.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shortcoming. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.
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shortcoming
noun
short·com·ing
ˈshȯrt-ˌkəm-iŋ
(ˈ)shȯrt-ˈkəm-
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