underdog
noun
un·der·dog
ˈən-dər-ˌdȯg 
1
: a loser or predicted loser in a struggle or contest
… the biggest obstacle has been the adjustment from underdog last season to contender …—
Mike Wise
Mike Wise2
: a victim of injustice or persecution
… portrayed himself as an honest underdog that the Government would do anything to stop.—Michael Specter
Michael SpecterExamples 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 challenge of making an underdog doc is that, by definition, the underdog is unlikely to win.
—Addie Morfoot, Variety, 12 Nov. 2025
What unfolds is the hopeful and unforgettable story of an underdog team that comes together to galvanize their town, reclaim their way of life, and turn their shared grief into an unstoppable superpower.
—Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 12 Nov. 2025
Vanderbilt would have to win at Tennessee in the regular-season finale, a game the Commodores will likely be underdogs in.
—Dan Santaromita, New York Times, 11 Nov. 2025
The Panthers will likely be underdogs against Jacksonville State and favorites against Sam Houston.
—Walter Villa, Miami Herald, 9 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for underdog
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Addie Morfoot, Variety, 12 Nov. 2025
What unfolds is the hopeful and unforgettable story of an underdog team that comes together to galvanize their town, reclaim their way of life, and turn their shared grief into an unstoppable superpower.
—Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 12 Nov. 2025
Vanderbilt would have to win at Tennessee in the regular-season finale, a game the Commodores will likely be underdogs in.
—Dan Santaromita, New York Times, 11 Nov. 2025
The Panthers will likely be underdogs against Jacksonville State and favorites against Sam Houston.
—Walter Villa, Miami Herald, 9 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for underdog
Cite this Entry
“Underdog.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/underdog. Accessed 15 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
underdog
noun
un·der·dog
ˈən-dər-ˌdȯg
: the loser or predicted loser in a struggle
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