misdeveloped

adjective

mis·​de·​vel·​op·​ed ˌmis-di-ˈve-ləpt How to pronounce misdeveloped (audio)
-dē-
: developed wrongly
specifically : having a relatively high level of industrialization but a relatively low standard of living as a result of an inefficient economy or corrupt governance
They inherited from corrupt Communist rulers a ravaged ecology and a misdeveloped, hypermilitarized economy plundered of its natural resources. The Washington Post

Word History

First Known Use

1842, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of misdeveloped was in 1842

Dictionary Entries Near misdeveloped

Cite this Entry

“Misdeveloped.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/misdeveloped. Accessed 18 Dec. 2024.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!