understaffed

adjective

un·​der·​staffed ˌən-dər-ˈstaft 

: inadequately staffed

understaffing

ˌən-dər-ˈsta-fiŋ 

noun

Examples of understaffed in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Redesign Your Team’s Capacity When a team is understaffed, leaders should redesign capacity before asking people to work harder. — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 2 Oct. 2026

Federal investigators found that the state's transit safety division was underresourced and understaffed. — Penny Kmitt, CBS News, 18 Sep. 2026

Now, massive construction projects dot the state as part of an unprecedented rush to power artificial intelligence, creating new labor demands for an industry that’s already understaffed. — Zachary Hansen, AJC.com, 11 Sep. 2026

The show focuses on the fictional Toledo Truth Teller, an understaffed, more-than-slightly amateurish, failing publication that shares its office space with the Softees toilet paper company owned by its parent corporation. — Julie Hinds, Freep.com, 3 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1891, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for understaffed

• antiaircraft
• choreographed
• chromatographed
• mimeographed
• abaft
• aircraft
• camshaft
• crankshaft
• downdraft
• engraft
• priestcraft
• redraft