Underspending: meaning, definitions and examples

Used when talking about spending less money than was budgeted or planned, often in a formal or professional context.

• The company’s underspending this quarter was attributed to the delay in launching the new product.
• The government’s underspending on healthcare has become a major concern for the public.

Used when describing failing to reach a target or expectation, often in contexts like goals, budgets, or projections. It can carry a slightly negative connotation.

• The sales team undershot their quarterly target by 15%.
• The event budget was undershot due to fewer participants than expected.

Used similarly to 'underspending', often referring to the act of spending less than was allotted or predicted. Common in both personal finances and formal settings.

• They tend to underspend on groceries to save money for vacations.
• The department aims to underspend this year to allocate funds for future projects.

Used when discussing the act of predicting spending to be less than it actually is, often in a planning or forecasting context.

• The project manager underestimated spending, leading to a budget shortfall.
• If you underestimate spending on maintenance, you might face unexpected expenses later.

This word is typically used when referring to spending less money than was originally planned or budgeted in a particular period.

• The company’s underspending on marketing impacted sales.
• Government underspending on infrastructure can slow down economic growth.

This word is often used when someone or something falls short of a particular target or goal. It is not limited to financial contexts and can be negative if goals are not met.

• The airline expects to undershoot its revenue targets this quarter.
• The team’s performance undershot our expectations.

Similar to 'underspending', it refers to spending less than the budget or plan. It is often used interchangeably in many contexts.

• The department is likely to underspend its annual budget.
• Nonprofits often struggle with underspend due to overestimation of project costs.

Commonly used in project management or finance to indicate that expenses have come in below the allocated budget.

• The construction project was completed underbudget, saving the company thousands.
• By finding cheaper suppliers, they were able to stay underbudget.