understrength

adjective

un·​der·​strength ˌən-dər-ˈstreŋ(k)th How to pronounce understrength (audio)
: 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

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'understrength.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1925, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of understrength was in 1925

Dictionary Entries Near understrength

Cite this Entry

“Understrength.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/understrength. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

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