underfunded

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "underfunded" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it to describe something that has not been given enough financial resources, or has not received enough money to accomplish what needs to be done. Example: "The schools in our city are severely underfunded and are unable to provide proper educational materials for the students."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"It is about reaching into corners where there is no statutory money or causes that are underfunded.

The Guardian

Yet these are not necessarily good for city dwellers, especially rental tenants and people who depend on public services that may be underfunded while municipal budgets are diverted to creating and maintaining tourist attractions.

The Guardian

Theatre lovers say that the end of state subsidies after the fall of the Soviet Union left drama troupes and art schools underfunded.

The Guardian

Childcare campaigners say the existing offer is already underfunded by the government, with parents and providers making up the shortfall; doubling it to 30, they warn, risks undermining the sustainability of the sector.

The Guardian - Money

Yet, for the sake of a couple of dispatch-box flourishes, Brown reduced it to 20p, leaving revenue spending underfunded and capital spending dependent on expensive PFI schemes which will contribute to the budget deficit for years to come.

The Guardian

"The ISC is underfunded.

The Guardian

Anthony Coscia, Amtrak's chairman, remarked recently that the passenger network is "still entirely underfunded for what we accomplish .Yet never has rail travel, particularly in the north-east, been more important.

The Economist

The costs have been gargantuan, though, according to its outgoing chief foreign prosecutor this week, it is still "underfunded and under-resourced".

The Economist

Many are grossly underfunded as it is.Such statistics are enough to send a pension trustee to an early grave.

The Economist

These crises nonetheless amount to an important test of Britain's ambition to be an active, collaborative, medium-sized Western power, which its leaders are flunking.The Foreign Office is underfunded and demoralised.

The Economist

Enough to retain veto power, but only just.The problem is that, although they have memorable popular battle cries, the pro-democratic parties are underfunded and badly organised.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "underfunded", be specific about what is lacking funds. For example, instead of saying "the project is underfunded", specify "the project is underfunded, lacking resources for adequate staffing and materials".

Common error

Avoid using "underfunded" hyperbolically. Ensure the lack of funding genuinely hinders performance or goals; otherwise, the statement may lack credibility.

Linguistic Context

The word "underfunded" primarily functions as an adjective. It modifies nouns to describe something lacking sufficient financial resources. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage and provides examples illustrating this function.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Formal & Business

22%

Science

8%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The adjective "underfunded" is frequently employed to describe situations where financial resources are inadequate, as validated by Ludwig AI. Its widespread use across various contexts, especially in News & Media and Formal & Business settings, underscores its relevance in contemporary discourse. While grammatically sound and readily understood, effective use of "underfunded" requires contextual awareness and specificity, detailing what lacks funds and the resulting consequences. Alternatives like "insufficiently financed" or "poorly resourced" may offer nuanced perspectives, depending on the intended emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

insufficiently financed

Emphasizes the lack of adequate financial backing.

lacking sufficient funds

Directly states the absence of enough money.

poorly resourced

Highlights the scarcity of overall resources, not just financial.

under-resourced

Highlights the lack of resources in general, not just financial resources.

short on funds

A more informal way of saying lacking sufficient funds.

starved of funding

Uses a stronger, more evocative term to describe the lack of funds.

financially constrained

Focuses on the limitations imposed by a lack of finances.

cash-strapped

Indicates a severe shortage of cash.

strapped for cash

Emphasizes the urgent need for financial resources.

inadequately supported

Focuses on the lack of support, which could be financial or otherwise.

FAQs

How can I use "underfunded" in a sentence?

You can use "underfunded" to describe a situation where something does not have enough money. For example, "The school's library is severely "underfunded"."

What are some alternatives to saying "underfunded"?

Alternatives include "insufficiently financed", "poorly resourced", or "lacking sufficient funds". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it better to say "underfunded" or "under-resourced"?

"Underfunded" specifically refers to a lack of financial resources, while "under-resourced" implies a broader lack of resources, including personnel, equipment, and materials. Use the term that accurately reflects the situation.

What are the consequences of something being "underfunded"?

The consequences of something being "underfunded" can include reduced quality of service, delayed project completion, and an inability to meet objectives.