undergo

verb

un·​der·​go ˌən-dər-ˈgō 

underwent ˌən-dər-ˈwent  ; undergone ˌən-dər-ˈgȯn 

also -ˈgän

; undergoing ˌən-dər-ˈgō-iŋ 

-ˈgȯ(-)iŋ

; undergoes

ˌən-dər-ˈgōz

transitive verb

1

: to submit to : endure

2

: to go through : experience

undergo a transformation

3

obsolete : undertake

4

obsolete : to partake of

Synonyms of undergo

• endure
• experience
• have
• see

Examples of undergo in a Sentence

She will have to undergo an operation.

some people undergo a complete transformation while away at college

Recent Examples on the Web

King collapsed on the field last May and eventually underwent heart surgery. —Damian Calhoun, Daily News, 16 Mar. 2026

Some beetroot supplements have tested positive for trace heavy metals such as cadmium and lead, so experts recommend choosing powders that undergo third-party testing for quality and purity. —Deirdre Bardolf, FOXNews.com, 16 Mar. 2026

After speculation about the princess's whereabouts dominated the news cycle for all of February and March of 2024, Middleton shared that she had been diagnosed with cancer and was undergoing preventative chemotherapy. —Christopher Luu, InStyle, 16 Mar. 2026

In Lippmann’s time, the relations among citizens, corporations, and government underwent a historic transformation; in our time, new laws and civic reforms hardly ever arise. —George Packer, The Atlantic, 16 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for undergo

• afterglow
• akimbo
• albino
• aliquot
• allegro
• amigo
• apropos
• audio
• bungalow
• calico
• calypso
• cameo

Kids Definition

undergo

verb

un·​der·​go ˌən-dər-ˈgō 

underwent

-ˈwent

; undergone -ˈgȯn 

also -ˈgän

; undergoing -ˈgō-iŋ 

1

: endure sense 2

undergo an operation

2

: to pass through : experience

undergoing a change