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

Germany will go into their semi-final against Spain on Wednesday in Zurich as the underdogs. —Michael Cox, New York Times, 20 July 2025

The Spartans are a not-overly-risky bet to win the Big Ten’s first NCAA hockey title since an underdog Spartans team did it in 2007. —Jess Myers, Twin Cities, 14 July 2025

Whereas this challenge usually serves to introduce (or reintroduce) queens and allow an underdog to surprise us while expected heavy hitters bore us, All Stars 10 seems to have deployed it to separate those who can win from those who can’t. —Chris Feil, Vulture, 11 July 2025

Real Madrid, however, are tempting underdogs thanks to their remarkable recent track record in knockout competition. —Tyler Everett, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 July 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