understrength

[ uhn-der-strengkth, -strength, -strenth ]

adjective

having insufficient organizational strength; lacking in personnel: an understrength army.
insufficient in power or efficacy.

Origin of understrength

¹

First recorded in 1920–25; under- + strength

Words Nearby understrength

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use understrength in a sentence

To integrate Negroes into white combat units, already dangerously understrength, would threaten the Army's fighting ability.
Integration of the Armed Forces, 1940-1965 | Morris J. MacGregor, Jr.

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