shortcoming
A character fault
A shortcoming is a flaw or deficiency—a way in which someone or something falls short of expectations or standards.
The word often appears in the plural: Despite its shortcomings, the plan was approved.
Unlike more pointed terms like fault or failure, shortcoming suggests incompleteness rather than fundamental wrongness: He was aware of his own shortcomings.
Fault or shortcoming
- defectInherent imperfection or fault
- faultImperfection or blame
- failingFlaw in one's nature
- weaknessDeficiency in force
drawback · blemish · deficiency · inadequacy · error · mistake · oversight · glitch
Deficiency or absence
- insufficiencyShortfall in amount needed
- deficiencyLack of something needed
- inadequacyState of being insufficient
- gapUnfilled space between
shortfall · absence · void · want · need · dearth · scarcity · undersupply
Openness to harm
- frailtyWeakness of body
- susceptibilityLiability to influence
- fragilityEase of breaking
- soft spotEmotional vulnerability or fondness
exposure · instability · unreliability · ineffectiveness · incapacity · powerlessness · incompetence · inefficiency
Limiting condition or rule
- restrictionLimit on action
- boundaryLine marking a limit
- capCovering for top
- ceilingRoom's upper surface
barrier · handicap · impediment · obstacle · hurdle · bottleneck · stumbling block · threshold
imperfection
Fault or shortcoming
weakness · drawback · blemish · deficiency · inadequacy · error · mistake · oversight · glitch · bug
lack
Deficiency or absence
- insufficiencyShortfall in amount needed
- deficiencyLack of something needed
- inadequacyState of being insufficient
gap · shortfall · absence · void · want · need · dearth · scarcity · undersupply · incompleteness
vulnerability
Openness to harm
- frailtyWeakness of body
- susceptibilityLiability to influence
- fragilityEase of breaking
soft spot · exposure · instability · unreliability · ineffectiveness · incapacity · powerlessness · incompetence · inefficiency · infirmity
constraint
Limiting condition or rule
- restrictionLimit on action
- boundaryLine marking a limit
- capCovering for top
ceiling · barrier · handicap · impediment · obstacle · hurdle · bottleneck · stumbling block · threshold · cutoff
shortcomingstrength
Power to exert force
asset · advantage · merit · strong point · forte
shortcomingvirtue
Moral goodness or merit
integrity · righteousness · rectitude · goodness · probity
shortcomingperfection
Absence of any fault
success · achievement · accomplishment · fulfillment · attainment