undermanned

adjective

un·​der·​manned ˌən-dər-ˈmand How to pronounce undermanned (audio)
: inadequately staffed

Examples of undermanned 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.
And similar to hockey, penalties can lead to power play situations in which one team is undermanned. Sacbee.com, 3 Nov. 2025 The Cavaliers, now 3-2, began the season with three straight wins following an opening-night loss to the New York Knicks, but Wednesday’s defeat snapped their winning streak and exposed some of the challenges facing the undermanned roster. Evan Dammarell, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Oct. 2025 Offensive players blamed themselves and valiantly tried to excuse the 49ers’ undermanned defense. Cam Inman, Mercury News, 27 Oct. 2025 But in these finals, the Mercury have mostly looked undermanned. Marcus Thompson Ii, New York Times, 9 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for undermanned

Word History

First Known Use

1848, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of undermanned was in 1848

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Undermanned.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/undermanned. Accessed 7 Nov. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!