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Dictionary.com
Definitions

short of

ADJECTIVE
barring
Synonyms
STRONG
bar discounting excepting excluding
WEAK
apart from aside from but for other than outside of save for with the exception of
ADJECTIVE
depleted
Synonyms
STRONGEST
drained reduced vacant weakened
STRONG
bare collapsed decreased depreciated emptied lessened sapped sold spent used wasted worn
WEAK
all in bleary destitute devoid of effete far-gone in want kaput out of pooped out sold out sucked out used-up washed out without resources worn-out
Antonyms
STRONGEST
energized full
WEAK
augmented enlarged increased unconsumed unused
ADJECTIVE
insufficient
Synonyms
STRONGEST
deficient faulty inadequate incomplete meager poor scant scarce unsatisfactory
WEAK
bereft defective destitute devoid drained dry failing imperfect incapable incommensurate incompetent infrequent minus out of rare short shy thin too little too late unample unfinished unfitted unqualified wanting
Antonyms
STRONGEST
adequate enough perfect satisfactory strong sufficient
WEAK
ample
ADJECTIVE
minus
Synonyms
STRONG
less negative
WEAK
deficient smaller subtracting
Antonyms
WEAK
plus
PREPOSITION
except
Synonyms
STRONGEST
save
STRONG
bar barring excepting excluding exempting lacking omitting rejecting saving
WEAK
apart from aside from besides but exclusive of if not leaving out minus not for outside of with the exception of without

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Watkins' response to the setback has been nothing short of emphatic, with the 30-year-old adding to the goal he scored against West Ham in the Premier League just before the international break.

From BBC • Apr. 9, 2026

But rather than extricate themselves by any means short of actually calling the police, they sink deeper and deeper into an all-consuming situation, their efforts to survive becoming increasingly extreme, never mind unlikely.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 9, 2026

Some have backed the administration's handling of the conflict, while others -- though uneasy about the lack of congressional oversight -- have stopped short of supporting measures that could constrain military operations.

From Barron's • Apr. 9, 2026

"Hybrid warfare" is when a hostile state carries out an anonymous, deniable attack, usually in highly suspicious circumstances, but stops short of being an attributable act of war.

From BBC • Apr. 9, 2026

Time and time again, presidents escalated—but stopped short of giving the generals what they said they needed.

From "Most Dangerous: Daniel Ellsberg and the Secret History of the Vietnam War" by Steve Sheinkin