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
The University of Washington’s underdog crew team defeats elite rowers to face Hitler’s German athletes in the 1936 Berlin Olympics.
—
Becky Meloan, Washington Post, 3 Apr. 2024
But one thing is certain: the underdogs will be a tough out.
—Christopher Kuhagen, Journal Sentinel, 3 Apr. 2024
Purdue is in its first Final Four wince 1980 but is nobody’s interloper or underdog.
—Greg Cote, Miami Herald, 1 Apr. 2024
And over in the Soft Baits region, another 7 seed (the underdog Worm) defeated the 2-seed Jerkbait.
—Shaye Baker, Field & Stream, 20 Mar. 2024
The Wildcats have been inconsistent all season, mixing big wins with losses to underdogs such as USC.
—Iliana Limón Romero, Los Angeles Times, 19 Mar. 2024
The explanation for Tom’s disappearance is preposterous, but makes a certain amount of sense within the movie’s underdog view of stunt people.
—Peter Debruge, Variety, 13 Mar. 2024
Choosing to root for a tarnished underdog felt almost punk rock.
—Steven Leckart, New York Times, 5 Mar. 2024
Bennett said, referring to underdogs who advanced to the 2023 Final Four.
—Jeff Faraudo, The Mercury News, 17 Mar. 2024
Becky Meloan, Washington Post, 3 Apr. 2024
But one thing is certain: the underdogs will be a tough out.
—Christopher Kuhagen, Journal Sentinel, 3 Apr. 2024
Purdue is in its first Final Four wince 1980 but is nobody’s interloper or underdog.
—Greg Cote, Miami Herald, 1 Apr. 2024
And over in the Soft Baits region, another 7 seed (the underdog Worm) defeated the 2-seed Jerkbait.
—Shaye Baker, Field & Stream, 20 Mar. 2024
The Wildcats have been inconsistent all season, mixing big wins with losses to underdogs such as USC.
—Iliana Limón Romero, Los Angeles Times, 19 Mar. 2024
The explanation for Tom’s disappearance is preposterous, but makes a certain amount of sense within the movie’s underdog view of stunt people.
—Peter Debruge, Variety, 13 Mar. 2024
Choosing to root for a tarnished underdog felt almost punk rock.
—Steven Leckart, New York Times, 5 Mar. 2024
Bennett said, referring to underdogs who advanced to the 2023 Final Four.
—Jeff Faraudo, The Mercury News, 17 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'underdog.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Underdog.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/underdog. Accessed 18 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
underdog
noun
un·der·dog
ˈən-dər-ˌdȯg
: the loser or predicted loser in a struggle
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