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underpopulated

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

adjective

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


underpopulated British  
/ ˌʌndəˈpɒpjʊˌleɪtɪd /

adjective

  1. having a low population rate

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

  • underpopulation noun

Etymology

Origin of underpopulated

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

Vocabulary lists containing underpopulated

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

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

From Barron's • Dec. 29, 2025

Instead of moving 90,000 residents out of the overpopulated district and into the underpopulated one, the state swapped more than 50,000 residents into the overpopulated district and moved 140,000 residents out of it.

From Slate • Oct. 11, 2023

Because right now, they're strapped, they're underpopulated, they're not well thought of.

From Salon • Oct. 19, 2022

Occupancy in downtown’s residential buildings has held steady and even grown as new units came to market, but the big office towers built to serve white-collar businesses have remained stubbornly underpopulated.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 14, 2022

The closer victory came the faster we were shuttled around America in pursuit of a role to play in a drama which suddenly, underpopulated from the first, now had too many actors.

From "A Separate Peace" by John Knowles