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

The responders told Abe that village leadership left them understaffed and inadequately equipped to contend with the flooding. — Cengiz Yar, ProPublica, 3 Nov. 2026

That was true in its yeshiva reform efforts when hesitant and understaffed local districts were charged with investigations and, even when violations were substantiated, the schools couldn’t be closed down. — David Bloomfield, New York Daily News, 1 Nov. 2026

Sorrells has been unwilling to seek adequate budget funding from the Commissioners Court, leaving the office understaffed, according to one of the sources. — Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Oct. 2026

But the group that helps manage education on the Pentagon's guidelines, the Department of the Responsible AI Division, is understaffed. — Chiara Eisner, NPR, 23 Oct. 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