shortcoming
6 synonyms and 3 antonyms for shortcoming, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A fault or weakness in someone or something that stops them being as good as they should be.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Antonyms
How to use shortcoming
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
serious shortcoming
despite its shortcomings
address the shortcomings
own shortcomings
Neutral and slightly formal. Common in reviews, appraisals and reports. Usually plural.
Etymology
From the phrase to come short, meaning to fall short of a standard.
Full origin of shortcoming →Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a shortcoming and a shortfall?
A shortcoming is a defect in ability or quality, such as poor communication. A shortfall is a numerical gap, such as being £4,000 short of a target. They are not interchangeable.
Is shortcoming a polite word?
Fairly. It is softer and more formal than fault or failure, which is why it is standard in appraisals and official reports where you want to criticise without sounding harsh.
