What does shortsightedly mean?
Shortsightedly means acting without adequate attention to future consequences, long-term effects, or the likely consequences of a decision. It is the adverb form of shortsighted and commonly describes policies, business decisions, or personal choices that may bring immediate benefits but create later difficulties. For example, a business might shortsightedly reduce investment in maintenance and then face costly breakdowns. The term is generally formal and carries a critical connotation: it suggests not merely an unfortunate outcome, but a failure to consider what lies ahead. It can also be used when a decision reflects narrow thinking or excessive concentration on the present. In careful writing, shortsightedly explains how an action was taken, while shortsighted more often characterizes the action or the person responsible for it.
adverbIn a shortsighted manner, with insufficient concern for future consequences or longer-term effects.
- In a way that shows insufficient awareness of future consequences or long-term effects.
"The company shortsightedly cut its research budget, only to face serious problems a few years later."
"Rather than shortsightedly closing the program, the council examined its long-term benefits."
"His shortsightedly defensive response to criticism made the dispute more difficult to resolve."
Shortsightedly can describe the classic mistake of optimizing today while quietly creating tomorrow's crisis.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does shortsightedly come from?
Shortsightedly is formed from the adjective shortsighted, combining short with sighted. Both elements are English: short developed from Old English scort, while sighted is related to sight, whose Old English ancestor was sihþ. The compound conveys a literal or figurative limited view, and its adverbial form was used by analogy with other manner adverbs. Sighted, sight, and sightseeing are related forms from the same English root.
Related word forms
How shortsightedly is actually used
Generally formal and evaluative, often describing a decision or approach that neglects future consequences. It is sometimes used more broadly for poor judgment that prioritizes immediate advantage.
Easily confused with shortsightedly
Shortsighted is an adjective describing a person, plan, or decision, whereas shortsightedly is an adverb describing how someone acts or how something is done.