underrepresentation

This term is primarily used in sociological, political, and academic contexts to describe a systemic imbalance. It carries a critical tone, implying that a lack of presence is not accidental but rather a result of structural inequality or oversight. When used in a demographic sense, it suggests a failure of equity or fairness.

In creative or academic contexts, the word shifts from a quantitative measure to a qualitative one. Here, it describes a failure of accuracy or depth, suggesting that a subject has been glossed over or ignored, thereby distorting the truth or the narrative of the work.