adjective

myopic

my-OP-ik

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Myopic (adjective) means Focused only on immediate concerns and failing to consider the longer term. Example: “Cutting the training budget was a myopic decision that cost them a decade of talent.”

adjective

Focused only on immediate concerns and failing to consider the longer term.

"Cutting the training budget was a myopic decision that cost them a decade of talent."

"The policy is myopic: it fixes this year's deficit and ignores the next twenty."

medical Unable to see distant objects clearly; short-sighted.

"He has been myopic since childhood and cannot read a road sign without glasses."

How to use myopic

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishOnly able to see what is right in front of you, literally or in your thinking.

When to use it

The figurative sense dominates in general writing and is mildly critical. The eye-condition sense belongs to medicine, where the noun is myopia.

Memory tip

The noun is myopia, not 'myopicness'. Say 'the myopia of the plan'.

Trace the full origin ↓

Easily confused with

myopia → short-sighted → utopic

Common pairings

myopic view myopic focus on dangerously myopic myopic policy

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C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

Test yourself on “myopic” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

Cutting the training budget was a _____ decision that cost them a decade of talent.

Etymology

From Greek myops 'short-sighted', from myein 'to shut' and ops 'eye', describing the habit of narrowing the eyes to see distant things.

Origin: Greek

Synonyms

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short-sighted narrow-minded insular unimaginative near-sighted short shortsighted unforesightful nearsighted

Antonyms

far-sighted visionary hypermetropic long-sighted

Related words

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Rhymes for myopic

topic tropic microscopic psychotropic philanthropic

See all rhymes for myopic →

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between myopic and short-sighted?

They mean the same thing in both senses, but myopic is the more formal and clinical word while short-sighted is the plainer everyday choice. In criticism, myopic tends to sound more scathing.

Is myopic an insult?

It is a criticism rather than an insult when used figuratively — it says a person or policy lacks foresight, not that they lack intelligence. Applied to eyesight it is a neutral medical description with no judgement attached.

What is the meaning of myopic?

"myopic" (adjective) means focused only on immediate concerns and failing to consider the longer term.

What is another word for myopic?

Other words for "myopic" include short-sighted, narrow-minded, insular, unimaginative, short, shortsighted.

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