Categories: GeneralSynonyms

SHORTCOMING: Synonyms and Related Words. What is Another Word for SHORTCOMING?

Need another word that means the same as “shortcoming”? Find 15 synonyms and 30 related words for “shortcoming” in this overview.

Table Of Contents:

Shortcoming as a Noun
Definitions of "Shortcoming" as a noun
Synonyms of "Shortcoming" as a noun (15 Words)
Usage Examples of "Shortcoming" as a noun
Associations of "Shortcoming" (30 Words)

The synonyms of “Shortcoming” are: defect, fault, flaw, imperfection, deficiency, limitation, blemish, failing, drawback, weakness, foible, fallibility, frailty, vice, infirmity

Shortcoming as a Noun

Definitions of "Shortcoming" as a noun

According to the Oxford Dictionary of English, “shortcoming” as a noun can have the following definitions:

A failing or deficiency.
A fault or failure to meet a certain standard, typically in a person's character, a plan, or a system.

Synonyms of "Shortcoming" as a noun (15 Words)

blemish	A small mark or flaw which spoils the appearance of something. Local government is not without blemish.
defect	A shortcoming, imperfection, or lack. That interpretation is an unfortunate defect* of our lack of information.*
deficiency	The state of needing something that is absent or unavailable. A budget deficiency* of 96 billion.*
drawback	An amount of excise or import duty remitted on goods exported. He pointed out all the drawbacks to my plan.
failing	A flaw or weak point. Pride is a terrible failing.
fallibility	The tendency to make mistakes or be wrong. Studies on the fallibility* of memory and perception.*
fault	(electronics) equipment failure attributable to some defect in a circuit (loose connection or insulation failure or short circuit etc. The fault* of the keen therapist is to start to intervene during the assessment phase.*
flaw	An imperfection in a plan or theory or legal document that causes it to fail or that reduces its effectiveness. A flaw* caused the crystal to shatter.*
foible	A behavioral attribute that is distinctive and peculiar to an individual. They have to tolerate each other s little foibles.
frailty	Moral weakness. The increasing frailty* of old age.*
imperfection	A fault, blemish, or undesirable feature. The imperfections and injustices in our political system.
infirmity	Physical or mental weakness. Old age and infirmity* come to men and women alike.*
limitation	The quality of being limited or restricted. It is a good plan but it has serious limitations.
vice	A bad or neurotic habit of stabled horses, typically arising as a result of boredom. A mobile phone network is being used to peddle vice.
weakness	A penchant for something even though it might not be good for you. He has a weakness* for chocolate.*

Usage Examples of "Shortcoming" as a noun

He is so forthright about his shortcomings, it's hard to chastise him.

Associations of "Shortcoming" (30 Words)

blemish	Add a flaw or blemish to make imperfect or defective. The offences were an uncharacteristic blemish* on an otherwise clean record.*
con	A swindle in which you cheat at gambling or persuade a person to buy worthless property. She was jailed for conning her aunt out of 500 000.
defect	A shortcoming, imperfection, or lack. Visual defects.
defective	(of a word) not having all the inflections normal for the part of speech. I returned the appliance because it was defective.
deficiency	The amount by which something, especially revenue, falls short; a deficit. A budget deficiency* of 96 billion.*
demerit	A fault or disadvantage. They discussed the merits and demerits of her novel.
disadvantage	Put at a disadvantage hinder harm. The pension scheme tends to disadvantage* women.*
downside	A negative aspect of something that is generally positive. He says being a rock star is a fun line of work when you re young but admits fame can have its downsides.
drawback	The quality of being a hindrance. They had been complaining of difficulties in getting quick reimbursement of duty drawback.
error	A measure of the estimated difference between the observed or calculated value of a quantity and its true value. The decisions of the appeal committee disclosed no error* of law.*
failing	A weakness, especially in a person’s character; a shortcoming. Received failing* grades.*
fault	Of a rock formation be broken by a fault or faults. A fire caused by an electrical fault.
flaw	Add a flaw or blemish to make imperfect or defective. A flaw* in the glass.*
flawed	(of a person) having a weakness in character. A flawed* diamond.*
gaffe	An unintentional act or remark causing embarrassment to its originator; a blunder. His comments are a major diplomatic gaffe.
harm	Cause or do harm to. This could harm* his World Cup prospects.*
imperfect	The imperfect tense. Imperfect mortals.
inadequacy	The state or quality of being inadequate; lack of the quantity or quality required. Juvenile offenses often reflect an inadequacy* in the parents.*
ineptitude	Having no qualities that would render it valuable or useful. The sheer ineptitude* of their economic plan.*
injury	A casualty to military personnel resulting from combat. An ankle injury.
insufficiency	Lack of an adequate quantity or number. Insufficiency of adequate housing.
insufficient	Of a quantity not able to fulfill a need or requirement. Insufficient funds.
lacking	Deficient or inadequate. Workers were asked in what way they found their managers lacking.
lapse	Pass by. He let his membership of CND lapse.
misconceive	Fail to understand (something) correctly. Criticism of the trade surplus in Washington is misconceived.
misunderstanding	A failure to understand something correctly. A misunderstanding* of the government s plans.*
nitpick	Engage in fussy or pedantic fault-finding. The state is nitpicking about minor administrative matters.
shortage	The property of being an amount by which something is less than expected or required. Food shortages.
undermanned	Inadequate in number of workers or assistants etc.
unforced	Not resulting from undue effort; not forced. An unforced* cheerfulness.*