shorthanded

adjective

short·​hand·​ed ˌshȯrt-ˈhan-dəd How to pronounce shorthanded (audio)
: having, working with, or done with fewer than the regular or necessary number of people

Examples of shorthanded in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The Dodgers’ lineup was shorthanded, missing Teoscar Hernández with a bruised foot and Tommy Edman with a pinky toe fracture (both are expected back in the lineup by Wednesday). Los Angeles Times, 8 July 2025 The cuts leave fewer staff to tend to 700,000 acres of rolling Eastern Kentucky forest — where partner organizations say the agency was already shorthanded and underfunded — ahead of peak tourism season. Connor Giffin, The Courier-Journal, 2 July 2025 The Nuggets — with an already-thin roster that was also shorthanded — took the champion Oklahoma City Thunder to seven games in the playoffs, a sign Denver is not too far away from being a real title threat. Rohan Nadkarni, NBC news, 30 June 2025 The Liberty were overpowered by a refreshed Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever squad while playing shorthanded without Jonquel Jones. Devin Robertson, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for shorthanded

Word History

First Known Use

1794, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of shorthanded was in 1794

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Cite this Entry

“Shorthanded.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shorthanded. Accessed 13 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

shorthanded

adjective
short·​hand·​ed -ˈhan-dəd How to pronounce shorthanded (audio)
: having or working with fewer than the usual number of people
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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