underdog

noun

un·​der·​dog ˈən-dər-ˌdȯg 

1

: a loser or predicted loser in a struggle or contest

2

: a victim of injustice or persecution

Examples of underdog in a Sentence

I always root for the underdog instead of the favorite.

As a lawyer, she consistently represented the underdog.

Recent Examples on the Web

As mentioned with Tillman, the Browns are heavy underdogs and should be passing the ball a ton. —Steve Bradshaw, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025

The 49ers were underdogs in both games — and understandably so. —Hunter Bailey, Charlotte Observer, 10 Sep. 2025

According to DraftKings, the University of San Diego football team was a 21-point underdog against Southern Utah on Saturday night. —Don Norcross, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Sep. 2025

Part sports-underdog biopic, part domestic-abuse-survivor’s tale, and a textbook example of why turning a true story into tony entertainment is a real tightrope walk, this drama has extremely recognizable beats. —David Fear, Rolling Stone, 6 Sep. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1859, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for underdog

• analog
• analogue
• catalogue
• decalogue
• demagogue
• dialogue
• epilogue
• homologue
• monologue
• pedagogue
• synagogue
• tagalog

Kids Definition

underdog

noun

un·​der·​dog ˈən-dər-ˌdȯg 

: the loser or predicted loser in a struggle