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
Her depiction of everyday human interaction is rich and persuasive, but the larger world her characters inhabit feels underdeveloped.
—
Tope Folarin, The Atlantic, 8 Nov. 2025
Decades of state control meant that the scenic coast along the Adriatic Sea is among the last swaths of underdeveloped real estate in the Mediterranean.
—Lindita Cela, Miami Herald, 7 Nov. 2025
The comedy is a tonal mess, veering between underdeveloped jokes and unearned sentiment.
—Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 7 Nov. 2025
This solves a common pain point many have with conventional carbon-steel pans, which are vulnerable to rust when their seasoning is underdeveloped.
—Wilder Davies, Bon Appetit Magazine, 7 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for underdeveloped
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Tope Folarin, The Atlantic, 8 Nov. 2025
Decades of state control meant that the scenic coast along the Adriatic Sea is among the last swaths of underdeveloped real estate in the Mediterranean.
—Lindita Cela, Miami Herald, 7 Nov. 2025
The comedy is a tonal mess, veering between underdeveloped jokes and unearned sentiment.
—Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 7 Nov. 2025
This solves a common pain point many have with conventional carbon-steel pans, which are vulnerable to rust when their seasoning is underdeveloped.
—Wilder Davies, Bon Appetit Magazine, 7 Nov. 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 14 Nov. 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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