understrength
adjective
un·der·strength
ˌən-dər-ˈstreŋ(k)th 
: deficient in strength
especially
: lacking sufficient or prescribed personnel
Examples of understrength in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Nadal has made a habit of talking down his chances, but the men’s field at Wimbledon will be understrength this year.
—
New York Times, 17 June 2022
Both teams started understrength sides, with the likes of Mo Salah, Sadio Mane, Roberto Firmino, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Nicolas Pepe all missing.
—Ravi Ubha, CNN, 31 Oct. 2019
KOVAC AT BAYERN Eintracht Frankfurt coach Niko Kovac got a look at his future workplace but couldn't prevent Bayern Munich's understrength team winning 4-1.
—Ciaran Fahey, chicagotribune.com, 28 Apr. 2018
CHELSEA POUNDS CITY Chelsea reached the quarterfinals of the F.A. Cup with a 5-1 victory against an understrength Manchester City, while two of Chelsea’s London rivals, Crystal Palace and West Ham, also advanced.
—The Associated Press, New York Times, 21 Feb. 2016
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New York Times, 17 June 2022
Both teams started understrength sides, with the likes of Mo Salah, Sadio Mane, Roberto Firmino, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Nicolas Pepe all missing.
—Ravi Ubha, CNN, 31 Oct. 2019
KOVAC AT BAYERN Eintracht Frankfurt coach Niko Kovac got a look at his future workplace but couldn't prevent Bayern Munich's understrength team winning 4-1.
—Ciaran Fahey, chicagotribune.com, 28 Apr. 2018
CHELSEA POUNDS CITY Chelsea reached the quarterfinals of the F.A. Cup with a 5-1 victory against an understrength Manchester City, while two of Chelsea’s London rivals, Crystal Palace and West Ham, also advanced.
—The Associated Press, New York Times, 21 Feb. 2016
Cite this Entry
“Understrength.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/understrength. Accessed 10 Jul. 2025.
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