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.

Activists say that government agencies that help locate missing people are so short of staff and resources that searches are often delayed for months.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 11, 2026

The average Social Security payment also falls short of what it costs to live in the U.S., the group said.

From MarketWatch • Jun. 10, 2026

County since 2012, when a transportation measure fell just short of a needed two-thirds majority with 66.1% support.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 10, 2026

The hospital is short of money and supplies, and lacks an ambulance.

From BBC • Jun. 9, 2026

“It’s nothing,” I say, though I’m still short of breath.

From "South of Somewhere" by Kalena Miller

short of

Example Sentences

Related Words