underpopulated

adjective

un·​der·​pop·​u·​lat·​ed ˌən-dər-ˈpä-pyə-ˌlā-təd How to pronounce underpopulated (audio)
: having a lower density of population than is normal or desirable

Examples of underpopulated in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Some have exploded inside Russian guns, and many of the rest have fallen harmlessly in underpopulated areas. Eric Schmitt, New York Times, 22 Jan. 2024 Here are more suggestions for shows to check out as this underpopulated fall TV season gets underway. Kturnqui, oregonlive, 18 Sep. 2023 Soon, you’re dumped on an underpopulated tropical paradise to start afresh and lead the fight. Matt Gardner, Forbes, 7 Oct. 2021 Similarly, the underpopulated Zones 2 and 3 in south-central Little Rock likely will have to grow into the overpopulated Zone 1 in southwest Little Rock. Cynthia Howell, Arkansas Online, 26 Sep. 2021 The Japanese government already offers incentives for migrating to underpopulated areas, but the new sum is three times the current one. Harold Maass, The Week, 5 Jan. 2023 Also, in a way, underpopulated. Don Aucoin, BostonGlobe.com, 12 Aug. 2022 More than half of the country’s municipalities, excluding Tokyo’s 23 wards, are expected to be designated as underpopulated areas in 2022, according to a national census. Emiko Jozuka, CNN, 4 Jan. 2023 Restaurants, where reservations are harder to come by than scoring a table at Polo Bar, were underpopulated. William Earl, Variety, 19 Jan. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'underpopulated.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1869, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of underpopulated was in 1869

Dictionary Entries Near underpopulated

Cite this Entry

“Underpopulated.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/underpopulated. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

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