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
Ecclestone was removed as the championship’s boss, and his successors were staggered to see how underdeveloped F1’s marketing was overall.
—
Alex Kalinauckas, New York Times, 27 Aug. 2025
If the eyes are deep and sharp, the fruit is probably underdeveloped and will be dry and crunchy.
—Sherri Gordon, Health, 25 Aug. 2025
This creates a vicious cycle of underachievement and underdeveloped pipelines for organizations.
—Ruth Oh Reitmeier, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2025
Unlike adults who have usually acquired some ability to regulate their nervous system states, a child has both an immature nervous system and an underdeveloped prefrontal cortex.
—Nancy L. Weaver, The Conversation, 21 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for underdeveloped
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Alex Kalinauckas, New York Times, 27 Aug. 2025
If the eyes are deep and sharp, the fruit is probably underdeveloped and will be dry and crunchy.
—Sherri Gordon, Health, 25 Aug. 2025
This creates a vicious cycle of underachievement and underdeveloped pipelines for organizations.
—Ruth Oh Reitmeier, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2025
Unlike adults who have usually acquired some ability to regulate their nervous system states, a child has both an immature nervous system and an underdeveloped prefrontal cortex.
—Nancy L. Weaver, The Conversation, 21 Aug. 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 7 Sep. 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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