fall short
phrase
1
as in collapse
to be unsuccessful
The movie fell short of its viewers' expectations.
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in come to grief
to go wrong
The biography falls short by neglecting to explore the subject's faults as well as his virtues.
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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.
Recent Examples of fall short
Despite government assurances, humanitarian groups warn that the scale of assistance still falls short of the need.
—
Antonio María Delgado,
Miami Herald,
3 July 2026
Hiring slowed markedly in June, falling short of economists' expectations and displaying a wobbly labor market amid elevated inflation set off by the Iran war.
—
Max Zahn,
ABC News,
2 July 2026
Together, these efforts reflect concerted efforts to protect large corporations from consumers’ claims that products have harmed them and to prevent states from holding companies accountable when federal regulation falls short.
—
Sarah J. Morath,
The Conversation,
2 July 2026
But Musk fell short of the yearly 5% minimum the IRS legally requires his foundation to give away, after falling roughly $423 million short in 2023.
—
Ty Roush,
Forbes.com,
1 July 2026
How Bodyweight Exercises Can Help With Everyday Strength Even though weightlifting can increase muscle size and strength more efficiently, that doesn’t mean bodyweight exercises fall short.
—
Jakob Roze,
Health,
1 July 2026
Incomes falling short Non-homeowners need to earn just over $62,000 to afford a starter home.
—
Megan Cerullo,
CBS News,
30 June 2026
But development partners for the women’s soccer team say the private group — not the city — would be on the hook if expected tax revenue falls short of paying off the bond.
—
Dylan Lysen
june 30,
Kansas City Star,
30 June 2026
Adults should aim for 25 to 34 grams of fiber per day, but most Americans fall short of that goal.
—
Sarah Klein,
Time,
30 June 2026
Antonio María Delgado,
Miami Herald,
3 July 2026
Hiring slowed markedly in June, falling short of economists' expectations and displaying a wobbly labor market amid elevated inflation set off by the Iran war.
—
Max Zahn,
ABC News,
2 July 2026
Together, these efforts reflect concerted efforts to protect large corporations from consumers’ claims that products have harmed them and to prevent states from holding companies accountable when federal regulation falls short.
—
Sarah J. Morath,
The Conversation,
2 July 2026
But Musk fell short of the yearly 5% minimum the IRS legally requires his foundation to give away, after falling roughly $423 million short in 2023.
—
Ty Roush,
Forbes.com,
1 July 2026
How Bodyweight Exercises Can Help With Everyday Strength Even though weightlifting can increase muscle size and strength more efficiently, that doesn’t mean bodyweight exercises fall short.
—
Jakob Roze,
Health,
1 July 2026
Incomes falling short Non-homeowners need to earn just over $62,000 to afford a starter home.
—
Megan Cerullo,
CBS News,
30 June 2026
But development partners for the women’s soccer team say the private group — not the city — would be on the hook if expected tax revenue falls short of paying off the bond.
—
Dylan Lysen
june 30,
Kansas City Star,
30 June 2026
Adults should aim for 25 to 34 grams of fiber per day, but most Americans fall short of that goal.
—
Sarah Klein,
Time,
30 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fall short
fall flat
Phrase
-
The Song of Ice and Fire, passed down from one Targaryen king to another all these years, falls flat here.
Cite this Entry
“Fall short.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fall%20short. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
