underpopulated

American  

[uhn-der-pop-yuh-ley-tid] / ˌʌn dərˈpɒp yəˌleɪ tɪd /

adjective

1. having a population lower than is normal or desirable.

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underpopulated British  

/ ˌʌndəˈpɒpjʊˌleɪtɪd /

adjective

1. having a low population rate

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Other Word Forms

• underpopulation noun

Etymology

Origin of underpopulated

First recorded in 1880–85; under- + populate + -ed ²

Example Sentences

For investors skittish about jumping in, there are other underpopulated corners of AI to explore.

From Barron's

In an era where escaping the bustle of the city often means swapping one type of crowd for another, Kings Canyon is an underpopulated gem that, for now, proves that nature can still be peaceful.

From Los Angeles Times

Some have exploded inside Russian guns, and many of the rest have fallen harmlessly in underpopulated areas.

From New York Times

Similarly, mountain gorillas are so underpopulated that their inbreeding is literally warping their facial features, and elevating their extinction risk.

From Salon

The overcrowding in cities has left over half the nation’s municipalities underpopulated and millions of homes unoccupied.

From Washington Times