manpower

noun

Definition of manpowernext
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 This could reduce the time and manpower required to search large areas manually, particularly as Chinese military aircraft and vessels operate more frequently around Taiwan. — Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 17 Oct. 2026 If Memphis isn't one of them, the city will have to try to maintain its momentum on public safety without extra manpower. — Patrik Jonsson, Christian Science Monitor, 14 Oct. 2026 However, the city does not have the manpower to maintain those fences in front of the businesses, Faulk said. — Lynn Kutter, Arkansas Online, 13 Oct. 2026 Current and former officials say that has left the division shorthanded—depleted of talent, expertise and basic manpower. — Ryan Lucas, NPR, 11 Oct. 2026 They can be deployed or furled in minutes with the push of a button, eliminating conventional rigging from the deck and allowing the yacht to sail with far less manpower. — Robb Report, 9 Oct. 2026 The parks department and local law enforcement don’t have the manpower to consistently monitor peoples’ speeds with radar guns, staff said. — Mary Ramsey, Charlotte Observer, 8 Oct. 2026 The Republican Party did not plan to devote so much money and manpower to Texas this midterm season. — ABC News, 7 Oct. 2026 The capital, Sanaa, is under Houthi control, along with 70-80% of Yemen’s population and the military manpower that provides. — Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 4 Oct. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for manpower
  1. staff
  2. workforce
  3. personnel
  4. pool
Noun
  • Typically, the general in the position and their staff are responsible for generating and coordinating military plans for both the chairman of the Joint Chiefs and the president.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 30 Oct. 2026
  • Clever touches—in-room iMacs; a choice of colors from the bedside light; two do not disturb signs, one of a person sleeping, the other clearly suggesting that the couple inside are not—make your stay memorable, as do the eager-to-please staff.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 Oct. 2026
Definition of staff
Noun
  • Hiring in 2026 has resulted in an uneven demographic shift in the workforce, according to survey estimates analyzed by the Post.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 30 Oct. 2026
  • Notable Nuclear power is key to bolstering energy security in Africa, but its rollout on the continent requires workforce training and safety regulations, said Daniel Poneman, former US deputy enerfy secretary.
    — Ruben Nyanguila, semafor.com, 30 Oct. 2026
Definition of workforce
Noun
  • Vessels like Sichuan are primarily designed to support amphibious operations, transport military personnel, deploy helicopters and facilitate landing operations.
    — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 31 Oct. 2026
  • The agreement comes as Hialeah continues to grapple with staffing shortages and difficulties retaining experienced emergency personnel.
    — Verónica Egui Brito, Miami Herald, 30 Oct. 2026
Definition of personnel
Noun
  • The rooftop pool, complete with the aforementioned views, is perfect for relaxing after a busy day on your feet.
    — Jaymi McCann, TheWeek, 3 Nov. 2026
  • There are also a couple of casual, al fresco dining options around the pool and cabanas, a market-style spot for grab-and-go and deli-style options, a Starbucks, and a cocktail-forward lobby bar.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 Nov. 2026
Definition of pool

Browse Nearby Words

manors
manpower
manpowers
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Manpower.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/manpower. Accessed 4 Nov. 2026.

Copy Citation
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of fulsome

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Great Big List of Beautiful and Useless Words, Vol. 5

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Old-Timey Vehicles

Ten More Words from Taylor Swift Songs

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Great Big List of Beautiful and Useless Words, Vol. 5

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
couple-laugh-cafe
Quiz: Foreign Phrases You Should Know Check out your bona fides and avoid any faux pas.
See All