Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Unable to see distant objects clearly: Describes a condition of the eyes where vision is clear for near objects but blurred for far objects; myopic.
   • Lacking foresight or scope: Describes thinking or planning that fails to consider or prepare for future consequences or long-term effects.

Usage Examples

• Adjective (Visual Impairment):
  • He is shortsighted and needs glasses to drive.
  • Without her contact lenses, her shortsighted vision makes street signs blurry.
• Adjective (Lacking Foresight):
  • A shortsighted focus on quarterly profits can harm a company's long-term innovation.
  • The mayor's shortsighted plan failed to account for future population growth.

Advanced Usage

• "to be shortsighted of someone": Used to criticize a person's lack of foresight regarding a specific issue.
  • It was shortsighted of the council to cut the school's arts funding.
• "shortsighted in one's approach/thinking": Describes a method or mindset that ignores long-term implications.
  • The policy was criticized for being shortsighted in its approach to environmental conservation.

Variants and Related Words

• Shortsightedly (adverb): In a manner that lacks foresight.
  • They shortsightedly rejected the proposal for a new research facility.
• Shortsightedness (noun): The quality or condition of being shortsighted, either literally (myopia) or figuratively.
  • His shortsightedness prevented him from seeing the opportunity. (figurative)
  • Laser surgery can correct shortsightedness. (literal)

Synonyms

• Myopic: (Literally and figuratively) shortsighted.
• Nearsighted: (Primarily literal) unable to see far away clearly.
• Improvident: (Figurative) not providing for the future; lacking foresight.
• Ill-considered: (Figurative) not carefully thought out.

Antonyms

• Farsighted: (Literally) able to see distant objects clearly; (figuratively) having foresight.
• Prescient: (Figurative) having knowledge of events before they happen; showing foresight.
• Prudent: (Figurative) acting with or showing care for the future.

Related Idioms and Phrases

• "Penny wise and pound foolish": This idiom describes behavior that is shortsighted, as it saves small amounts of money now but leads to greater losses later.
  • Canceling routine maintenance is penny wise and pound foolish.

Adjective

1. not given careful consideration
   • ill-considered actions often result in disaster
   • an ill-judged attempt
2. unable to see distant objects clearly
3. lacking foresight or scope
   • a short view of the problem
   • shortsighted policies
   • shortsighted critics derided the plan
   • myopic thinking