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short-sighted

short-sighted

18 4.2
Making decisions without thinking about the future
  • adjective
  • /ˈʃɔrtˌsaɪtɪd/
translation icon : cortoplacista
  • Governments tend to be short-sighted and limited, working in a crisis-oriented fashion.
  • short-sighted view

This is a very short sighted decision making process.

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Examples

  • And under conditions of scarcity, we often make very short sighted decisions that are not good for us.

  • As I have noted, discussions about increased productivity often focus on narrow and short-sighted output metrics.

    Blog text (5)
  • This is a very short sighted decision making process.

  • It's so short sighted of a company to do that.

  • A big mistake and very short-Sighted on their part.

  • It's very short sighted and very selfish.

  • It's that kind of short sighted behavior that is destroying us.

  • Can the Prime Minister name a more damaging policy, a more short sighted policy than cutting investment in our future?

  • To see learning as basically a tool for economic productivity and social stability is a short-sighted view.

    Academic text (1997)
  • It is short-sighted to ignore the long-term effects of climate change.

Synonyms

shortsighted
vsshort-sighted
17 5.2

Not thinking about the future or the later results of actions

is the hyphenated form used less now
myopic
vsshort-sighted
11 8.4

Not thinking about future problems when making plans or decisions

focuses on making decisions without regard for future consequences
improvident
vsshort-sighted
  • Formal
1 9.1

Spending money without planning or saving for the future

is about making choices without regard for long term consequences
visionless
vsshort-sighted
1 7.2

Unable to see or plan for the future

is about choosing without regard for long term consequences rather than sight
unforesightful
vsshort-sighted
9.3

Not planning for problems that will happen in the future

is about choosing without regard for long term consequences
unforethoughtful
vsshort-sighted
9.9

Not planning ahead or thinking about the future

is about acting without regard for long term consequences

Antonyms

3 4.6

Able to plan well for the future

How Far-Sighted

visionary
47 6.3
farsighted
3 4.6
short-sighted
18 4.2
reckless
193 3.6

Surface Forms

short-sighted positive
shorter-sighted comparative
shortest-sighted superlative

Morphology

short-sighted = short + sighted (semi-transparent) = short + sight + ed

Formally a compound of 'short' + 'sighted' (where 'sighted' = 'sight' + '-ed'), but the adjectival meaning 'lacking foresight' is a metaphorical extension from limited physical sight.

Etymology

Short-sighted comes from the simple parts short ('not far') and sight ('seeing'), so it gives the picture of someone who can only see things close by and not far ahead. That's why calling a decision short-sighted means it does not think about the future or long-term results.