shortsighted

adjective

short·​sight·​ed ˈshȯrt-ˌsī-təd How to pronounce shortsighted (audio)
1
: lacking foresight
2
shortsightedly adverb
shortsightedness noun

Examples of shortsighted in a Sentence

shortsighted politicians who only care about how they do in the next election The plan was dangerously shortsighted.
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 local officials said waiting for disasters to happen is shortsighted. Ryan MacAsero, Mercury News, 24 May 2025 If the administration aims to cut Chinese imports, a country-by-country approach is shortsighted, according to Inu Manak, a trade policy fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations. Grady McGregor, New York Times, 30 Apr. 2025 The draconian and reckless cuts to EPA, an effective agency with a record of huge successes, are unwise and extremely shortsighted. Naperville Sun, Chicago Tribune, 7 Mar. 2025 Although the city faces a significant deficit, slashing essential road maintenance is shortsighted. Phillip Molnar, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for shortsighted

Word History

First Known Use

1622, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of shortsighted was in 1622

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Shortsighted.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shortsighted. Accessed 4 Jun. 2025.

Kids Definition

shortsighted

adjective
short·​sight·​ed ˈshȯrt-ˈsīt-əd How to pronounce shortsighted (audio)
1
2
: showing a failure to think ahead : lacking foresight
a shortsighted policy
shortsightedly adverb
shortsightedness noun

Medical Definition

shortsighted

adjective
short·​sight·​ed ˈshȯrt-ˈsīt-əd How to pronounce shortsighted (audio)
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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