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
The entire harassment subplot is underdeveloped, taking a back seat to typical medical drama.
—
Barry Levitt, Time, 3 Apr. 2025
Center back: George Campbell, CF Montréal At this point, Colorado and Montréal have become the standard-bearers of taking underdeveloped players off of MLS rivals and giving them a better chance at regular minutes.
—Jeff Rueter, The Athletic, 21 Feb. 2025
There are a lot more mice, rabbits, raccoons, and opossums in the brush between houses than in large tracts of underdeveloped forests.
—Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 2 Apr. 2025
The country's ongoing war, economic instability, and underdeveloped investment ecosystem created an exceptionally difficult environment.
—Geri Stengel, Forbes.com, 26 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for underdeveloped
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Barry Levitt, Time, 3 Apr. 2025
Center back: George Campbell, CF Montréal At this point, Colorado and Montréal have become the standard-bearers of taking underdeveloped players off of MLS rivals and giving them a better chance at regular minutes.
—Jeff Rueter, The Athletic, 21 Feb. 2025
There are a lot more mice, rabbits, raccoons, and opossums in the brush between houses than in large tracts of underdeveloped forests.
—Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 2 Apr. 2025
The country's ongoing war, economic instability, and underdeveloped investment ecosystem created an exceptionally difficult environment.
—Geri Stengel, Forbes.com, 26 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for underdeveloped
Cite this Entry
“Underdeveloped.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/underdeveloped. Accessed 2 May. 2025.
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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