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

The bird underwent surgery and is recuperating. —Alan Gionet, CBS News, 27 Jan. 2026

Pretti provided care and comfort after Fouts underwent surgery to repair a descending aortic aneurysm, a bulge in the artery delivering blood from the heart to the rest of the body. —Theresa Braine, New York Daily News, 26 Jan. 2026

China’s military has undergone a sweeping anti-corruption purge in recent years, which has seen People’s Liberation Army generals, admirals, government ministers and other officials removed from their posts. —Janis MacKey Frayer, NBC news, 26 Jan. 2026

Equally significant was the fact that the economic and cultural transformation that this country had undergone since the 1980s was never a project confined to conservative politicians. —Heather Ann Thompson, The Atlantic, 26 Jan. 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