underpopulated

[ uhn-der-pop-yuh-ley-tid ]

adjective

1. having a population lower than is normal or desirable.

underpopulated

/ ˌʌndəˈpɒpjʊˌleɪtɪd /

adjective

1. having a low population rate

Other Words From

• under·popu·lation noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of underpopulated¹

First recorded in 1880–85; under- + populate + -ed ²

Example Sentences

In an era where escaping the bustle of the city often means swapping one type of crowd for another, Kings Canyon is an underpopulated gem that, for now, proves that nature can still be peaceful.

From Los Angeles Times

This convention is underpopulated, overpoliced and entirely devoid of drama.

From Salon

“We’re starting in the most underpopulated portion of the route,” said Ethan Elkind, director of the climate program at UC Berkeley Law’s Center for Law, Energy and the Environment.

From Los Angeles Times

Some have exploded inside Russian guns, and many of the rest have fallen harmlessly in underpopulated areas.

From New York Times

The adoption of new technologies may address what more and more Americans feel is the declining quality of life in the country’s greatest cities, including rising crime, underpopulated downtowns and declining revenue bases for basic services and security.

From Washington Times