undermanned

adjective

un·​der·​manned ˌən-dər-ˈmand How to pronounce undermanned (audio)
: inadequately staffed

Examples of undermanned in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
The reality is, the Twins have been undermanned most of the season. — Dan Hayes, New York Times, 31 Aug. 2026 Alshon & Newman made fast work of SoCal’s undermanned men’s team to even the match and send things to Mixed. — Todd Boss, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026 That is because the Hawks are undersized — and undermanned — at the five, and Towns, a legitimate 7-footer, is one of the best in the business at scoring from all three levels. — Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 17 Apr. 2026 Two days after putting up a franchise record 53 first-quarter points in a win over Miami, the Celtics scored 26 in the first six minutes against the undermanned Bucks. — Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 4 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for undermanned

Word History

First Known Use

1848, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of undermanned was in 1848

Rhymes for undermanned

See All Rhymes for undermanned

Browse Nearby Words

underman
undermanned
undermatched
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Undermanned.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/undermanned. Accessed 7 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

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

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of gist

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

A List of Most Commonly Confused Words

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Words of the Week - Sept. 4
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke
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
anagrams on a chalk board
Word Builder Quiz Vol. 2 Pick the letter that when added to a word will ma...
See All