underpopulated

adjective

un·​der·​pop·​u·​lat·​ed ˌən-dər-ˈpä-pyə-ˌlā-təd 

: having a lower density of population than is normal or desirable

Examples of underpopulated in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

There’s a score by siblings Brooke and Will Blair that effectively straddles suspense and period flavor, while other design contributions evoke the times within limited means, aided by the story’s underpopulated nature. —Dennis Harvey, Variety, 20 Nov. 2025

Two decades ago, Downtown Brooklyn was well connected but underpopulated, a combination that drew armies of fresh college graduates, quintupling the population. —Justin Davidson, Curbed, 22 Sep. 2025

The part of the South Side that’s home to CSU is underpopulated and underdeveloped. —The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 11 Aug. 2025

But Texas and oil industry interests objected to the waste being stored above ground in the Permian Basin, a prominent oil field region known for its underpopulated wide-open spaces in southwestern Texas. —Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 19 June 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1869, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for underpopulated

• overpopulated
• depopulated
• unpopulated