It is difficult to overcome this shortcoming without drastically changing the whole system.
Source: tatoeba (53481)
Shortcoming
/ˈʃɔːtˌkʌmɪŋ/
Synonyms for "shortcoming" (166 found)
Ranked by relevance and common usage.
Closest matches (34)
Noun(11 words)
absenceadulterationarrearagearrearsasymmetrybeggaryblemishbugcatchcontrarietycrackdeclinedefalcationdefaultdefectdefectibilitydefectiondefectivenessdeficiencydeficit
Show 1 more word
Adjective(2 words)
algebraic modelalgorithmic metric
Strong matches (49)
demeritdeprivationdestitutiondifferencedisadvantagedisequilibriumdisparitydisproportiondrawbackdroughterroneousnessfailingfailurefallibilityfaminefaultfaultinessfauteflawfly in the ointment
Show 6 more words
Noun(22 words)
design flawdetractiondetractorsdisadvantagedisadvantagesfail tofail verbfailingsfaillefailuresfall shortfaultfault the systemfaultsflawflawsfoiblesfrailtiesgapgaps
Show 2 more words
glitcheshuman development index
Adjective(1 words)
Related words (83)
impairmentimperfectionimpoverishmentimpurityinaccuracyinadequacyinadequatenessincompletenessinequalityinequityinexactitudeinexactnessinferiorityinfirmityinjusticeinsufficiencyirregularitykinklacklapse
Show 34 more words
liabilitylittle problemmediocrityneednonuniformityoddsomissionoverbalancepatchinesspeccadilloproblemriftshortageshortfallsinsketchinessslumpsnagsomething missingstarvationtaintunbalanceundevelopmentunevennessunfair discriminationunperfectednessunsoundnessvicevulnerable placewantwantageweak linkweak pointweakness
Noun(27 words)
imperfectionsinadequaciesinadequacy in spellingincompetenceinfelicitiesinfirmitieslackinglacunalimitationlimitationslimpsmarminusesmisfeaturemore unsatisfactorynegativespitfallsplanning failureprofessional incompetenceromanian defect
Show 7 more words
Adjective(2 words)
minor blemishweak
Choosing the right synonym
- Closest matches in this entry: defect, minus, absence, adulteration, algebraic model.
- Sentence evidence is available for shortcoming, so synonym choice can be checked against real usage rather than a flat word list.
- Ranking signals come from wordnet, opengloss, derived_reverse, moby, and related lexical sources.
Synonym selection checklist
- Match the part of speech before comparing meanings.
- Check whether the synonym changes intensity, formality, or emotional tone.
- Read the replacement inside the full sentence, not just beside "shortcoming".
- Prefer the clearest word over the most unusual word when writing for speed or comprehension.
When not to replace "shortcoming"
Keep "shortcoming" when the sentence already sounds natural, when a synonym would add unintended emphasis, or when readers need the most familiar wording. A synonym should clarify or sharpen the message, not simply make the sentence look more varied.
If two options seem close, choose the one that best matches the audience and purpose of the sentence.
Replacement workflow
1. Preserve meaning
Choose a synonym only if it keeps the core idea of "shortcoming" intact in the sentence you are editing.
2. Tune tone
Check whether the replacement sounds more formal, casual, emotional, technical, or forceful than the original word.
3. Re-read context
Read the full sentence after the swap. Keep the synonym only when the sentence becomes clearer or more precise.
Review note: Synonym lists are ranked with lexical data and reviewed for practical writing value. Use the comparison notes, sentence evidence, and source labels together; a high-ranking synonym can still be wrong when the audience, register, or grammar changes.
Final fit check
After choosing a replacement for "shortcoming", read the sentence once for meaning and once for rhythm. The best synonym should feel natural in the full sentence, not only accurate in a word list.
If the synonym makes the sentence slower, vaguer, or more dramatic than intended, keep "shortcoming" or choose a simpler alternative from the closest-match group.
Related word relations
OpenGloss and ConceptNet supply richer edges like generalizations, collocations, and derivations.
More general
6 entriesMore specific
8 entriesinadequate evidenceincomplete assignmentincomplete homeworkmissed deadlinepoor organizationpoor reading skillsvocabulary gapweak math skills
Collocations
5 entriescommon shortcomingeducational shortcomingmajor shortcomingserious shortcomingunaddressed shortcoming
Inflections
1 entriesSample sentences
6 total sentences available.
The greatest shortcoming of the human race is our inability to understand the exponential function.
Source: tatoeba (5434766)
Her most serious shortcoming seemed to be a tendency to fall into daydreams in the middle of a task and forget all about it until such time as she was sharply recalled to earth by a reprimand or a catastrophe.
Source: tatoeba (5825179)
The shortcoming in infancy is, first off, not knowing the horrible, and secondly, fearing that which should not be feared. The same occurs to the natural man; he ignores where horror truly lies, where the grips of trembles never falter, but rather, shivers at what is not horrible.
Source: tatoeba (9241151)
Showing 4 of 6 available sentences.
Common questions
What are the closest synonyms for "shortcoming"?
Closest matches include defect, minus, absence, adulteration, algebraic model.
How should I check whether a synonym fits "shortcoming"?
Compare the replacement against real sentence context. This entry includes sample sentences so you can check tone, grammar, and meaning before swapping words.