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

With its forces undermanned and outnumbered, it is believed the Ukrainian military withdrew from Novohrodivka to strengthen its defence of Pokrovsk.

From BBC

The play came after another turnover, a string of mistakes increasingly maddening and propping open the door against the severely undermanned Timberwolves.

From Los Angeles Times

But that brief reprieve from a New Jersey Devils onslaught, with goaltender interference the savior, ultimately didn’t matter in a game where the undermanned Kraken defenders abandoned their netminder.

From Seattle Times

Troops are being rotated from units in the rear to join undermanned infantry units at the front, and there are shortages of critical supplies needed to repair and maintain Ukraine’s armored vehicles.

From New York Times

Regardless of whether their opponents looked fatigued and undermanned at times, the Kraken badly needed two points from this outcome ahead of finishing the pre-All-Star break on the road Tuesday against San Jose.

From Seattle Times

Related Words

• shorthanded