I was typing an essay and wrote unchallenged to mean that the subject didn't feel challenged, but then I realized that unchallenged means "undisputed" and the definition that I thought isn't really attributed to the word. So, my question is, is there one adjective that means "not challenged enough?" Thank you :)
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4I occasionally come across "underchallenged", but this is not a word that is in wide-spread use or recorded in standard dictionaries.– njuffaCommented Nov 22, 2018 at 20:03
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1Underutilized might work, depending on the exact meaning you have in mind.– Jason BassfordCommented Nov 22, 2018 at 20:05
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@JasonBassford, that's a good alternative, but it doesn't fit the connotation and makes the subject sound more like a tool than an employee. It's essentially supposed to say "I feel like an (adj) employee"– MelanieCommented Nov 22, 2018 at 21:37
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@njuffa, Yeah, it doesn't sound right when I try to put in "underchallenged"– MelanieCommented Nov 22, 2018 at 21:37
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1You need to provide more objective criteria. For instance, I don't feel that calling myself underutilized means that I'm referring to myself more as a tool than an employee. I've heard the term used for people many times.– Jason BassfordCommented Nov 23, 2018 at 3:34
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1 Answer
The term I have heard and used myself is: Underemployed.
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Underemployed is often used to mean that a person has a job, but it doesn't meet their financial needs. So the person isn't unemployed, but isn't fully employed. It's different from a person whose work doesn't meet their needs for fulfillment or stimulation or significance.– jejorda2Commented Jul 8, 2019 at 20:46
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@jejorda2 I've more often heard underemployed used to mean that a person is qualified for a more challenging or higher-paying job, but has taken a less demanding (or rewarding) job. Example: having a law degree, but running a hot dog stand.– DavoCommented Jul 9, 2019 at 12:32
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Collins indicates that my definition is American and yours is British: collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english/underemployed– jejorda2Commented Jul 9, 2019 at 14:18