SHORT-CIRCUITS Synonyms: 86 Similar and Opposite Words

short-circuits

verb

present tense third-person singular of short-circuit

as in impedes

to create difficulty for the work or activity of for decades the maverick filmmaker was short-circuited by a chronic lack of funds

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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 short-circuits Trump and Kushner's real estate offensive, opaquely managed and crowded with fixers and still faceless figures, short-circuits with geopolitical and military ones, fuels suspicions and conspiracy theories. — Marzio G. Mian, Vanity Fair, 16 June 2026 Rent control short-circuits this process and discourages renovation and investment. — Editorial, Boston Herald, 27 May 2026 Ventricular tachycardia is a super-fast heartbeat triggered when an electrical wave short-circuits in the organ’s bottom chambers, the ventricles, and prevents them from pumping blood out to the body. — ABC News, 1 Apr. 2026 Hyperspecialization short-circuits that mechanism. — Rachel Barr, Big Think, 29 Jan. 2026 Deep familiarity often short-circuits game plans. — Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 15 Jan. 2026 This can happen when a battery cell short-circuits and creates a huge surge in temperature, according to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC). — Gabrielle Rockson, PEOPLE, 18 Dec. 2025 Sooners kicker short-circuits Vols’ CFP hopes Sandell helped Oklahoma win with one of the greatest kicking performances in school history. — David Ubben, New York Times, 2 Nov. 2025 Nationalizing Intel, even partially, short-circuits this process. — Alden Abbott, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025

Recent Examples of Synonyms for short-circuits

Verb

Federal officials argue that California’s refusal to review the federal list or set aside the associated ballots impedes enforcement.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2026
The stigma of a record impedes their ability to get a job, leaving them unable to afford market-rate housing at a time when affordable housing is already limited.

— Lake County News-Sun, Chicago Tribune, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of impedes

Verb

Unexcused absences in three consecutive elections freeze tax IDs, block nonvoters from applying to state jobs, hinders loans from state banks, and delays the issuance of passports.

— ABC News, ABC News, 25 Oct. 2026
This method prevents nitrogen from diluting the exhaust gas, which hinders combustion and keeps the CO₂ concentration relatively low.

— Muskan Bhatia, Interesting Engineering, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of hinders

Verb

But the inability a company to buy ads hampers a campaign’s visibility and removes a key tool that studios use to spread the word about a movie currently in theaters.

— Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 17 Oct. 2026
This lushness is truly remarkable on an island known for its volcanic soil, which traditionally hampers plant growth.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of hampers

Verb

Don't tail large vehicles closely - Trucks or buses can kick up a water spray that obstructs visibility.

— NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 13 July 2026
Anatasia steals a truck and obstructs their path, sacrificing herself to a bleak future, all in the name of love.

— Hunter Ingram, Variety, 10 July 2026

Definition of obstructs

Verb

Or from locking up Mick Cronin through 2030, even though UCLA’s prickly basketball coach embarrasses the university annually and hasn’t reached a Sweet 16 since 2023.

— Mirjam Swanson, Los Angeles Times, 1 Sep. 2026
Now the technology embarrasses an umpire even more than a player could, and what’s the recourse?

— Jim Alexander, Oc Register, 4 Apr. 2026

Definition of embarrasses

Browse Nearby Words

short-circuiting

short-circuits

shortcoming

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Style

“Short-circuits.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/short-circuits. Accessed 29 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of short-circuits

verb

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