as in staff
a body of persons at work or available for work
we're a little short on manpower today, so we'll need you to do some extra tasks
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Example Sentences
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.
Recent Examples of manpower
Whereas a year ago at this time, the Wild limped into playoffs having lost Joel Eriksson Ek for much of March and Kirill Kaprizov for half of the season, the extra manpower in 2026 creates its own kind of challenge.
—
Jess Myers, Twin Cities, 28 Mar. 2026
More than four years of war have left Ukraine’s military struggling with serious manpower shortages.
—Ivana Kottasová, CNN Money, 27 Mar. 2026
Staffing levels may also affect a store's ability to detect and report theft; for example, an understaffed store may not have adequate manpower to monitor shoppers and report incidents in progress.
—April Quevedo, jsonline.com, 26 Mar. 2026
If Russia cannot convert its manpower advantage into decisive victories, and if Ukraine can keep undermining Moscow’s ability to finance the war, attrition will eventually work in Kyiv’s favor.
—Olivier Kempf, Harpers Magazine, 24 Mar. 2026
The Clippers were short on manpower Thursday night against a team that has found some late-season life.
—Oc Register, 20 Mar. 2026
Since those protests and into the current war, the Basij’s role has been to provide manpower, said Azizi.
—Sarah El Deeb, Los Angeles Times, 20 Mar. 2026
Immediately upon regaining control of the lowlands of São Tomé, the Portuguese dedicated scarce manpower and equipment to the resumption of sugar cultivation, the repair of the mills, and the terrorizing of new shipments of captives.
—Literary Hub, 19 Mar. 2026
The People’s Liberation Army already dwarfs the Republic of China Armed Forces in both manpower and resources.
—Timothy Nerozzi, The Washington Examiner, 13 Mar. 2026
Jess Myers, Twin Cities, 28 Mar. 2026
More than four years of war have left Ukraine’s military struggling with serious manpower shortages.
—Ivana Kottasová, CNN Money, 27 Mar. 2026
Staffing levels may also affect a store's ability to detect and report theft; for example, an understaffed store may not have adequate manpower to monitor shoppers and report incidents in progress.
—April Quevedo, jsonline.com, 26 Mar. 2026
If Russia cannot convert its manpower advantage into decisive victories, and if Ukraine can keep undermining Moscow’s ability to finance the war, attrition will eventually work in Kyiv’s favor.
—Olivier Kempf, Harpers Magazine, 24 Mar. 2026
The Clippers were short on manpower Thursday night against a team that has found some late-season life.
—Oc Register, 20 Mar. 2026
Since those protests and into the current war, the Basij’s role has been to provide manpower, said Azizi.
—Sarah El Deeb, Los Angeles Times, 20 Mar. 2026
Immediately upon regaining control of the lowlands of São Tomé, the Portuguese dedicated scarce manpower and equipment to the resumption of sugar cultivation, the repair of the mills, and the terrorizing of new shipments of captives.
—Literary Hub, 19 Mar. 2026
The People’s Liberation Army already dwarfs the Republic of China Armed Forces in both manpower and resources.
—Timothy Nerozzi, The Washington Examiner, 13 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for manpower
Noun
-
Crow-Armstrong had support from his team during Friday’s news conference, where first baseman Michael Busch, manager Craig Counsell, hitting coach Dustin Kelly, assistant hitting coach John Mallee and staff assistant AJ Lewis took in the scene.—
Meghan Montemurro,
Chicago Tribune,
28 Mar. 2026
-
According to State Police, the students walked to a local business in Lincoln, New Hampshire with school staff and troopers to wait until a new bus arrived.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
28 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Women make up 53% of the workforce.—
Daniel de Visé,
USA Today,
31 Mar. 2026
-
This is deeply significant as the credential provides greater professional access and economic equity in the workforce.—
Rabba Sara Hurwitz,
Sun Sentinel,
31 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Admission tickets must be purchased in advance online and are $27, $25 for seniors and military personnel and $17 for children age 3-10.—
Linda Mcintosh,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
31 Mar. 2026
-
Mayor Brandon Johnson revealed his administration’s five-year plan to tackle homelessness on Tuesday amid another personnel flap that has elicited pushback from one of the city’s nonprofit partners on housing.—
Alice Yin,
Chicago Tribune,
31 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Each ticket costs $5, and players may pick six numbers from two separate pools of numbers - five different numbers from 1 to 70 (the white balls) and one number from 1 to 24 (the gold Mega Ball) - or select Easy Pick/Quick Pick.—
Fernando Cervantes Jr,
USA Today,
28 Mar. 2026
-
Many lagoon tents boast outdoor decks with private plunge pools and expansive living areas.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
28 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Manpower.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/manpower. Accessed 1 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
