underdeveloped

adjective

un·​der·​de·​vel·​oped ˌən-dər-di-ˈve-ləpt How to pronounce underdeveloped (audio)
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
underdevelopment noun

Examples of underdeveloped in a Sentence

The baby was born with underdeveloped lungs.
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.
These bottlenecks are not down to a lack of ambition but rather structural weaknesses, including lack of regulatory certainty, underdeveloped infrastructure, and crucially a lack of offtake agreements to guarantee long-term market demand. Felicia Jackson, Forbes.com, 23 June 2025 Hundreds of millions of people in mostly underdeveloped countries have used it safely with minimal side effects, such as fatigue or diarrhea, for decades. Erika Edwards, NBC news, 9 June 2025 The operatic action and intriguing exposition is there, but this solid third installment winds up a good but not great effort, owing to a convoluted last act and underdeveloped supporting characters. Brian Truitt, USA Today, 9 June 2025 Gwendolyn's prematurity brought additional complications: brain bleeds, underdeveloped lungs, multiple surgeries, code blues (where a patient requires resuscitation or is in need of immediate medical attention) and long hospital stays. Daniella Gray, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for underdeveloped

Word History

First Known Use

1892, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of underdeveloped was in 1892

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Underdeveloped.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/underdeveloped. Accessed 30 Jun. 2025.

Kids Definition

underdeveloped

adjective
un·​der·​de·​vel·​oped ˌən-dər-di-ˈvel-əpt How to pronounce underdeveloped (audio)
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 How to pronounce underdeveloped (audio)
: not normally or adequately developed
underdeveloped muscles
underdeveloped lungs

More from Merriam-Webster on underdeveloped

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!