understaffed

adjective

un·​der·​staffed ˌən-dər-ˈstaft 

: inadequately staffed

understaffing

ˌən-dər-ˈsta-fiŋ 

noun

Examples of understaffed in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Although the volume of vulnerabilities has grown over the years, Microsoft’s internal group responsible for fielding them, the Microsoft Security Response Center, has been perennially understaffed. — Renee Dudley, ProPublica, 29 July 2026

Others will spend most of the answer establishing that the mistake wasn’t really theirs; instructions were unclear, the computer malfunctioned, the department was understaffed, etc. — Mark Murphy, Forbes.com, 26 July 2026

Horne, in turn, maintained that the purchases went through because the Arizona Department of Education is understaffed. — Arizona Republic, AZCentral.com, 21 July 2026

Treating more patients in less time in understaffed offices while managing burgeoning patient portal messages and inbox tasks has stolen from PCPs time to thoughtfully evaluate and care for patients. — Torie Bosch, STAT, 18 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1891, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for understaffed

• antiaircraft
• choreographed
• chromatographed
• mimeographed
• abaft
• aircraft
• camshaft
• crankshaft
• downdraft
• engraft
• priestcraft
• redraft