stop short

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Some of his advisers and supporters urge him to stop short of a change of regime in Tehran.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 17, 2026

Iranian policymakers have believed the United States would stop short of targeting leaders for fear of escalation but "the Maduro episode complicates that assumption," she wrote.

From Barron's • Jan. 29, 2026

While dating pigments and other elements to Malevich's lifetime, the reports stop short of claiming the works were painted by the artist.

From BBC • Aug. 23, 2025

Oddly, some people still stop short of characterizing “Andor” as commentary on fascism, although parallels between the Empire and Adolf Hitler’s Third Reich abound.

From Salon • May 7, 2025

I kept having second thoughts that pushed needles into my feet, and I stood and started to run back more than once only to stop short and talk myself back to the pines.

From "The Marrow Thieves" by Cherie Dimaline