understaffed

adjective

un·​der·​staffed ˌən-dər-ˈstaft How to pronounce understaffed (audio)
: inadequately staffed
understaffing noun

Examples of understaffed 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.
Some 13,000 air traffic controllers were forced to work without pay for more than a month, overstretching already overworked and understaffed air traffic controllers. Eve Chen, USA Today, 16 Nov. 2025 This incident illustrated just how understaffed air traffic control has been, and the FAA is still short about 3,000 controllers. Sydney Lake, Fortune, 11 Nov. 2025 This includes our air traffic controllers, whose towers were already understaffed. Alexander Bolton, The Hill, 10 Nov. 2025 Duffy said that the profession is already understaffed, and that 15 to 20 air traffic controllers have been retiring a day during the shutdown, meaning that some disruption is likely to continue even after the government reopens. Alia Shoaib, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for understaffed

Word History

First Known Use

1891, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of understaffed was in 1891

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Cite this Entry

“Understaffed.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/understaffed. Accessed 19 Nov. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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