underdog

noun

un·​der·​dog ˈən-dər-ˌdȯg How to pronounce underdog (audio)
1
: a loser or predicted loser in a struggle or contest
2
: a victim of injustice or persecution

Examples of underdog in a Sentence

I always root for the underdog instead of the favorite. As a lawyer, she consistently represented the underdog.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The underdog tag is something this team neither shirk nor embrace. Megan Feringa, New York Times, 27 June 2025 Shaevitz’s Toot went from underdog to semi-finalist, nearly making it to the end to snatch the $200,000 grand prize. Amanda Rosa, Miami Herald, 26 June 2025 He was tasked with guiding the underdog side through what many expected to be a difficult tournament. Ben Church, CNN Money, 21 June 2025 And Darth Vader is just the right foil for these underdogs. Brian Truitt, USA Today, 21 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for underdog

Word History

First Known Use

1859, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of underdog was in 1859

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Underdog.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/underdog. Accessed 5 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

underdog

noun
un·​der·​dog ˈən-dər-ˌdȯg How to pronounce underdog (audio)
: the loser or predicted loser in a struggle

More from Merriam-Webster on underdog

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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