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

Across the country, 911 call centers are so understaffed that some are turning to artificial intelligence to answer non-emergency calls. — Megan De Mar, CBS News, 7 Oct. 2026

Redesign Your Team’s Capacity When a team is understaffed, leaders should redesign capacity before asking people to work harder. — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 2 Oct. 2026

Now, massive construction projects dot the state as part of an unprecedented rush to power artificial intelligence, creating new labor demands for an industry that’s already understaffed. — Zachary Hansen, AJC.com, 11 Sep. 2026

The show focuses on the fictional Toledo Truth Teller, an understaffed, more-than-slightly amateurish, failing publication that shares its office space with the Softees toilet paper company owned by its parent corporation. — Julie Hinds, Freep.com, 3 Sep. 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