underdeveloped
adjective
un·der·de·vel·oped
ˌən-dər-di-ˈve-ləpt 
1
: not normally or adequately developed
underdeveloped muscles
underdeveloped film
2
: having a relatively low economic level of industrial production and standard of living (as from lack of capital)
underdeveloped nations
Examples of underdeveloped in a Sentence
The baby was born with underdeveloped lungs.
Recent Examples on the Web
Critics say development is concentrated along Morocco's Atlantic corridor, while other areas remain underdeveloped.
—
ABC News, 24 Apr. 2026
Denmark, France, and Sweden have robust community radio sectors, but the sector is nascent and underdeveloped in the United Kingdom, Poland, Serbia, and Germany.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 23 Apr. 2026
Other hot topics at a Tuesday night candidate forum for council District 4 included the varying levels of experience of the candidates, fees to park in Balboa Park and economic development in the partially underdeveloped district.
—David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Apr. 2026
Ten years back, poor internet access, nascent digital payments, and underdeveloped road infrastructure restricted e‑commerce in smaller cities.
—Priyanka Salve, CNBC, 16 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for underdeveloped
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ABC News, 24 Apr. 2026
Denmark, France, and Sweden have robust community radio sectors, but the sector is nascent and underdeveloped in the United Kingdom, Poland, Serbia, and Germany.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 23 Apr. 2026
Other hot topics at a Tuesday night candidate forum for council District 4 included the varying levels of experience of the candidates, fees to park in Balboa Park and economic development in the partially underdeveloped district.
—David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Apr. 2026
Ten years back, poor internet access, nascent digital payments, and underdeveloped road infrastructure restricted e‑commerce in smaller cities.
—Priyanka Salve, CNBC, 16 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for underdeveloped
Cite this Entry
“Underdeveloped.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/underdeveloped. Accessed 29 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
underdeveloped
adjective
un·der·de·vel·oped
ˌən-dər-di-ˈvel-əpt
1
: not developed normally or enough
underdeveloped muscles
2
: having a low level of industrial production and standard of living
the underdeveloped nations
Medical Definition
underdeveloped
adjective
un·der·de·vel·oped
ˌən-dər-di-ˈvel-əpt
: not normally or adequately developed
underdeveloped muscles
underdeveloped lungs
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