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 rising incidence of depression, suicide and addiction among men has reached staggering levels, yet the social and psychological infrastructure to address it remains dangerously underdeveloped.
—
Sreedhar Potarazu, Baltimore Sun, 6 July 2025
The Democratic Republic of the Congo has substantial reserves of gold, cobalt, and high-grade copper that have been inaccessible due to the security risks and underdeveloped infrastructure, the International Trade Administration says.
—Francesca Chambers, USA Today, 28 June 2025
One day after the ceasefire with Israel, the government executed three Kurdish cross-border laborers who rely on smuggling goods to survive in Iran’s underdeveloped Kurdish provinces.
—Shukriya Bradost, The Conversation, 28 June 2025
This is an important trade advancement for people who live in countries with underdeveloped banking infrastructure and volatile currencies.
—Sailesh Sewpaul, Forbes.com, 26 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for underdeveloped
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Sreedhar Potarazu, Baltimore Sun, 6 July 2025
The Democratic Republic of the Congo has substantial reserves of gold, cobalt, and high-grade copper that have been inaccessible due to the security risks and underdeveloped infrastructure, the International Trade Administration says.
—Francesca Chambers, USA Today, 28 June 2025
One day after the ceasefire with Israel, the government executed three Kurdish cross-border laborers who rely on smuggling goods to survive in Iran’s underdeveloped Kurdish provinces.
—Shukriya Bradost, The Conversation, 28 June 2025
This is an important trade advancement for people who live in countries with underdeveloped banking infrastructure and volatile currencies.
—Sailesh Sewpaul, Forbes.com, 26 June 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 15 Jul. 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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