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Synonyms

fall short of

Idioms  
  1. Prove inadequate or insufficient. For example, His skills fell short of the required standard. [Late 1500s]


Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

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Pitcher Tyler Glasnow runs into trouble early and the Dodgers fall short of a comeback in the ninth inning of a 4-3 loss to the Miami Marlins.

From Los Angeles Times Sep. 13, 2026

There are also catastrophic scenarios that fall short of extinction, such as massive cyberattacks that take down power grids or financial systems and lead to a breakdown in the human social order.

From The Wall Street Journal Sep. 10, 2026

Taipei also accuses Beijing of using a range of "greyzone" methods -- tactics that fall short of an act of war -- including cyberattacks to harass the island.

From Barron's Aug. 13, 2026

Oxford estimates car sales will taper off soon and fall short of the 16 million mark in 2026, compared with 16.2 million new vehicles sold in 2025.

From MarketWatch Aug. 4, 2026

When my own experiences fall short of the mark, I just go out and spend some of his.

From "Me Talk Pretty One Day" by David Sedaris

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