When it comes to describing something as being small in size, there are plenty of synonyms for the word "are short". Some of the commonly used ones include "stubby", "petite", "diminutive", "tiny", "small", "little", "minuscule", "bantam", "dwarf", "undersized" and "compact". Each of these words brings its own subtle nuance to the meaning of "are short". For example, "stubby" implies a certain chunkiness, while "petite" can be used to describe something dainty and delicate. Ultimately, the choice of synonym will depend on the context in which it is used and the precise meaning that the writer is trying to convey.