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

Horne, in turn, maintained that the purchases went through because the Arizona Department of Education is understaffed. — Arizona Republic, AZCentral.com, 21 July 2026

Treating more patients in less time in understaffed offices while managing burgeoning patient portal messages and inbox tasks has stolen from PCPs time to thoughtfully evaluate and care for patients. — Torie Bosch, STAT, 18 July 2026

Promising candidates would get interviewed and not hear back, because the understaffed human resources department couldn’t finish the necessary paperwork, according to the reporting. — Frank Landymore, Futurism, 16 July 2026

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

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