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
Gordon H. Hanson, Foreign Affairs, 28 Feb. 2023
Elbow problems that would short-circuit his career ended his 1966 season early, keeping him out of the 1966 World Series.
—Paul McCardell, Baltimore Sun, 28 Mar. 2024
Gabe Hauari, USA TODAY, 25 June 2024
The gel’s structure also resists the formation of dendrites, the needle-like structures that can form on the anode during charging and cause short circuits.
—IEEE Spectrum, 18 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for short-circuit 
Verb
The up-front commitment, made before the technologies are invented, would reduce uncertainty for innovators and short-circuit efforts by individual countries to limit support to their domestic champions.
—Gordon H. Hanson, Foreign Affairs, 28 Feb. 2023
Elbow problems that would short-circuit his career ended his 1966 season early, keeping him out of the 1966 World Series.
—Paul McCardell, Baltimore Sun, 28 Mar. 2024
Noun
As a result, water may leak into the cameras and short circuit.
—Gabe Hauari, USA TODAY, 25 June 2024
The gel’s structure also resists the formation of dendrites, the needle-like structures that can form on the anode during charging and cause short circuits.
—IEEE Spectrum, 18 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for short-circuit
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'short-circuit.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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 4 Jul. 2024.
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