I. adjective
1.
having little length in space or time
a short visit
Synonyms: brief
Related Word: abbreviate, abbreviated, abridged, curtailed, decreased, diminished, lessened, shortened; curtate, decurtate
Contrasted words: extensive, lengthy; drawn-out, overlong; extended, prolonged, protracted
Antonyms: long
2.
having small physical stature
he was the shortest boy present
Synonyms: ||low, low-set, low-statured
Related Word: chunky, dumpy, squat, squatty, stubby, thick, thickset
Contrasted words: gangling, gangly, lanky, rangy; elevated, high, lofty, spiring, towering
Antonyms: tall
3.
not coming up to a measure or need
fuel was very short that year
Synonyms: deficient, failing, inadequate, insufficient, scant, scanty, scarce, scrimpy, shy, skimpy, slender, unsufficient, wanting; compare meager 2
Related Word: lacking, needing; exiguous, meager, sparse
Contrasted words: abounding, overflowing, teeming; abundant, ample, copious, plenteous, plentiful
Antonyms: long
4.
Synonyms: bluff , abrupt, blunt, breviloquent, brief, brusque, crusty, curt, snippety, snippy
Antonyms: expansive
5.
lacking in graciousness or consideration
her manner was short and abrupt
Synonyms: inconsiderate, sharp, thoughtless, unceremonious, ungracious
Related Word: bluff, blunt, brusque, crusty, curt; short-spoken; gruff, irascible
Contrasted words: considerate, gracious, kindly; bland, smooth; ceremonious
6.
readily breaking or crumbling
a rich short pastry
Synonyms: brittle, crisp, crumbly, ||crump, crunchy, friable
Related Word: delicate, fragile
Contrasted words: soggy, tough
7.
Synonyms: concise , breviloquent, brief, compendiary, compendious, curt, laconic, succinct, summary, terse
Related Word: compact; pointed
Idioms: to the point
Contrasted words: extended, protracted, spun-out
Antonyms: lengthy, long-drawn-out
II. adverb
1.
without hesitation or delay
stopped short
Synonyms: abruptly, asudden, forthwith, sudden, suddenly
Contrasted words: hesitantly; gradually, slowly
2.
Synonyms: unawares , aback, sudden, suddenly, unanticipatedly, unaware, unawaredly, unexpectedly
III. noun
Synonyms: substance 2, amount, burden, core, gist, meat, pith, purport, thrust, upshot
IV. verb
Synonyms: spare 3, scant, skimp, ||skinch, stint