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

An overwhelmed and understaffed LAPD continues to fight off the theft and violence generated by that surging homeless population. — John Scott Lewinski, The Washington Examiner, 11 July 2026

Thanks to House Bill 208, which passed in 2025, fire districts in Idaho can consolidate into a single entity to pool resources and work together to cover service areas that may be understaffed. — Noah Daly, Idaho Statesman, 8 July 2026

Some officials acknowledge—in private—that politically motivated purges have left the country’s law-enforcement and intelligence agencies understaffed and more prone to mistakes. — Shane Harris, The Atlantic, 3 July 2026

Police Chief Brenda Perez said the department is understaffed and has relied on mutual aid from the Massachusetts State Police, the Plymouth County Sheriff’s Office and neighboring police departments during previous celebrations. — ABC News, 2 July 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