shortcoming

American  

[shawrt-kuhm-ing] / ˈʃɔrtˌkʌm ɪŋ /

noun

1. a failure, defect, or deficiency in conduct, condition, thought, ability, etc..

   a social shortcoming; a shortcoming of his philosophy.

   Synonyms:

   weakness, failing, flaw, fault

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shortcoming British  

/ ˈʃɔːtˌkʌmɪŋ /

noun

1. a failing, defect, or deficiency

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Etymology

Origin of shortcoming

First recorded in 1670–80; short + coming

Example Sentences

Mr. Slaughter’s reliance on the Sewards’ correspondence over vigorous narrative is both the book’s strength and its shortcoming.

From The Wall Street Journal

Romain Jordan, who represents some of the families, said the "staggering number of breaches and shortcomings in the inspections raises the question of whether the municipality should be investigated with even greater urgency".

From BBC

"However, the power sector -- up till now the workhorse of emissions reduction -- cannot permanently offset the shortcomings in switching to climate technologies in transport and buildings."

From Barron's

Celtic fans spent so long at the start of the season cheering themselves up from a botched Champions League qualification campaign and their own side's shortcomings by pointing across the city.

From BBC

These voices insist that it isn’t “real cooking” unless everything is homemade, that shortcuts signify failure, and that feeding yourself—or others—this way reflects some deeper shortcoming.

From Salon

Related Words

• defect
• deficiency
• drawback
• failing
• fault
• flaw
• frailty
• imperfection
• lack
• lapse
• sin
• weakness