Definition

1. Noun:
   • A lack of foresight or wisdom; imprudence: "shortsightedness" refers to the failure to consider or plan for the future, often leading to poor decisions.
   • (Ophthalmology) Myopia; nearsightedness: "shortsightedness" is a condition of the eye where light focuses in front of the retina, causing distant objects to appear blurry while close objects can be seen clearly.

Usage Examples

• Noun (Imprudence):

  • The company's financial shortsightedness led to its eventual bankruptcy.
  • Environmental policy requires long-term thinking to avoid the shortsightedness of past generations.

• Noun (Ophthalmology):

  • His shortsightedness meant he needed glasses to drive.
  • Laser surgery can correct shortsightedness.

Advanced Usage

• "Shortsightedness of policy": used to criticize plans or decisions that fail to account for future consequences.
  • Critics pointed to the shortsightedness of the tax cuts, which ignored future budget deficits.

Variants and Related Words

• Shortsighted (adj): having or showing a lack of foresight or regard for the future; also, affected by myopia.

  • It was a shortsighted decision.
  • He is shortsighted and wears contact lenses.

• Myopia (n): the technical or medical term for nearsightedness; also used metaphorically for a lack of foresight.

• Nearsightedness (n): a common synonym for the visual condition.

Synonyms

• Imprudence: lack of wisdom or care in practical affairs.
• Myopia: (medical) nearsightedness; (metaphorical) lack of imagination or foresight.
• Folly: foolishness, lack of good sense.

Antonyms

• Foresight: the ability to predict or plan for the future.
• Prudence: wisdom and care in the management of practical affairs.
• Hyperopia/Farsightedness: (ophthalmology) the condition where distant objects are seen more clearly than near ones.

Noun

1. a lack of prudence and care by someone in the management of resources
2. (ophthalmology) eyesight abnormality resulting from the eye's faulty refractive ability; distant objects appear blurred