short-cir·cuit
ˈshȯrt-ˈsər-kət 
short-circuited; short-circuiting; short-circuits
1
: to apply a short circuit to or establish a short circuit in
2
: to become shunted by a short circuit
The radio short-circuited.
: a connection of comparatively low resistance accidentally or intentionally made between points on a circuit between which the resistance is normally much greater
Synonyms
Examples of short-circuit in a Sentence
Verb
for decades the maverick filmmaker was short-circuited by a chronic lack of funds
Noun
The fire was caused by a short circuit.
Recent Examples on the Web
Andrew Torgan, CNN, 14 Jan. 2025
The 2012 discovery of a mass unmarked grave on the grounds of the Florida School for Boys was the sort of headline that short-circuits the brain.
—Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 20 Dec. 2024
Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 10 Jan. 2025
All batteries must also be protected from damage, by ensuring that battery terminals don’t come into contact with metal, which could create a short circuit.
—Barry Collins, Forbes, 20 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for short-circuit 
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Verb
Hunter Biden The Justice Department special counsel, whose six-year case into Hunter Biden was short-circuited by the unconditional pardon President Joe Biden granted to his son, criticized the outgoing president in his final report released Monday.
—Andrew Torgan, CNN, 14 Jan. 2025
The 2012 discovery of a mass unmarked grave on the grounds of the Florida School for Boys was the sort of headline that short-circuits the brain.
—Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 20 Dec. 2024
Noun
The carmaker said that in a small number of affected vehicles a reverse current may occur during startup, potentially causing a short circuit in the computer board and disabling the rearview cameras.
—Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 10 Jan. 2025
All batteries must also be protected from damage, by ensuring that battery terminals don’t come into contact with metal, which could create a short circuit.
—Barry Collins, Forbes, 20 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for short-circuit
Dictionary Entries Near short-circuit
Cite this Entry
“Short-circuit.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/short-circuit. Accessed 21 Jan. 2025.
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