undermanned

[ uhn-der-mand ]

adjective

1. lacking a normal or sufficient workforce, complement of troops, or the like; understaffed; short-handed.

Word History and Origins

Origin of undermanned¹

First recorded in 1865–70; under- + manned

Example Sentences

Badly undermanned, New York dropped both Game 6 and Game 7, watching perhaps their last decent opportunity for a title in that era slip away in the process.

From FiveThirtyEight

Campbell’s aggressive strategy and commitment to stealing possessions gave the undermanned Lions a chance.

From Washington Post

They provided the support for an undermanned squad and for an underperforming, marquee player in a 1-0 victory over the Chicago Fire at Audi Field.

From Washington Post

A deluge of preseason and early-season injuries has left Losada with a badly undermanned roster.

From Washington Post

On Tuesday, they moved a step closer to continental glory by vanquishing undermanned Paris Saint-Germain, 2-0, in the second leg of their semifinal for a 4-1 aggregate victory.

From Washington Post

The crisis in Iraq is a disaster for the moderate rebels, including the undermanned and under-resourced FSA.

From The Daily Beast

There should have been twenty, but to be undermanned has been English fashion since Agincourt.

From Project Gutenberg

It looks as though Jaggard's printing office was undermanned.

From Project Gutenberg

They wanted to be sure that the schooner was not going to sail from the latter port undermanned.

From Project Gutenberg

Then came the muster and picking for watches, when the grim fact became apparent that we were grievously undermanned.

From Project Gutenberg

The Countess of Rothes was pulling at the oars of her boat, likewise undermanned because the crew preferred to stay behind.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• shorthanded