short of

preposition

: other than
especially : of a lesser degree than
had few options short of replacing the motor

Examples of short of in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
But short of fully denouncing the controversial Twitch streamer with a history of antisemitism, el Sayed can’t shake the spotlight that remains on their political friendship. — Ramsey Touchberry, The Washington Examiner, 31 Aug. 2026 Estimates vary on exactly how much oil is leaking through, but the upshot is the volumes are substantial albeit still well short of normal. — Jason Ma, Fortune, 30 Aug. 2026 Black drove the Wildcats inside the Lamar 10-yard line on their final possession but, on fourth down, was tackled one yard short of a first down with 14 seconds remaining. — ABC News, 29 Aug. 2026 Making his first appearance here as Fed chair, Warsh stopped well short of clearly signaling an interest-rate increase at the Fed’s next meeting. — David J. Lynch, Washington Post, 28 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for short of

Word History

First Known Use

1560, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of short of was in 1560

Rhymes for short of

See All Rhymes for short of

Browse Nearby Words

short octave
short of
short of breath
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Short of.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/short%20of. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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