underdeveloped

adjective

un·​der·​de·​vel·​oped ˌən-dər-di-ˈve-ləpt How to pronounce underdeveloped (audio)
1
: not normally or adequately developed
underdeveloped muscles
underdeveloped film
2
: having a relatively low economic level of industrial production and standard of living (as from lack of capital)
underdeveloped nations
underdevelopment noun

Examples of underdeveloped in a Sentence

The baby was born with underdeveloped lungs.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Yet their access to finance has been limited by high-risk premiums and underdeveloped infrastructure. María Mendiluce, Forbes, 28 Nov. 2024 According to some accounts, the term mid jumped from weed slang to the mainstream in 2021, in reaction to one of the many overlong and underdeveloped albums that Drake—the Spotify era’s defining rapper—has released like so many tadpoles into a lake. Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 26 Nov. 2024 The ability for teens to make logical, educated decisions is muddied by an array of factors: their lack of life experience, their vulnerability to peer pressure and their underdeveloped brain maturity. David Oliver, USA TODAY, 25 Nov. 2024 The underdeveloped relationship with his wife and his mother aren’t it. Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 22 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for underdeveloped 

Word History

First Known Use

1892, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of underdeveloped was in 1892

Dictionary Entries Near underdeveloped

Cite this Entry

“Underdeveloped.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/underdeveloped. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

underdeveloped

adjective
un·​der·​de·​vel·​oped ˌən-dər-di-ˈvel-əpt How to pronounce underdeveloped (audio)
1
: not developed normally or enough
underdeveloped muscles
2
: having a low level of industrial production and standard of living
the underdeveloped nations

Medical Definition

underdeveloped

adjective
un·​der·​de·​vel·​oped ˌən-dər-di-ˈvel-əpt How to pronounce underdeveloped (audio)
: not normally or adequately developed
underdeveloped muscles
underdeveloped lungs
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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