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understrength

American  
[uhn-der-strengkth, -strength, -strenth] / ˌʌn dərˈstrɛŋkθ, -ˈstrɛŋθ, -ˈstrɛnθ /

adjective

  1. having insufficient organizational strength; lacking in personnel.

    an understrength army.

  2. insufficient in power or efficacy.


Etymology

Origin of understrength

First recorded in 1920–25; under- + strength

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.

See Examples For:

Senegal should have been ahead at half-time and even an understrength Norway side created awkward moments in the first half in Boston.

From BBC Jul. 9, 2026

The interim findings suggest a dozen other columns are also understrength, although to a lesser degree.

From BBC Mar. 27, 2024

The dominant performance against an understrength Palace followed Saturday’s narrow victory at Burnley and will give United fans hope the team has turned its form around.

From Washington Times Sep. 26, 2023

Besides design understrength, investigators reported signs of corrosion, misplaced reinforcement and the placement of heavier and additional plant containers on the deck than those in the original plans.

From Seattle Times Jun. 15, 2023

After his understrength team’s amazing comeback at Paris Saint-Germain from a 2-0 first-leg loss, who would bet against them?

From Seattle Times Mar. 14, 2019

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