underdeveloped
adjective
un·der·de·vel·oped
ˌən-dər-di-ˈve-ləpt 
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
Examples of underdeveloped in a Sentence
The baby was born with underdeveloped lungs.
Recent Examples on the Web
Iran's energy sector, despite its resource wealth, remains underdeveloped, leading to rolling blackouts during the summer and now severe winter gas shortages.
—
Benedict Cosgrove, Newsweek, 19 Dec. 2024
The health technology sector has made remarkable strides in recent years, but certain areas—particularly those that cater to women’s health—remain underdeveloped.
—Janet Zhang, Forbes, 10 Dec. 2024
With considerable government support and India’s depth of technical talent, there’s hope that AI efforts will lift up the country’s massive and underdeveloped agricultural sector.
—IEEE Spectrum, 10 Dec. 2024
Existing organizations are mostly small and underdeveloped: the Society of Women Engineers, for instance, had a revenue of $17.6 million in 2023.
—Celia Ford, Vox, 3 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for underdeveloped 
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Benedict Cosgrove, Newsweek, 19 Dec. 2024
The health technology sector has made remarkable strides in recent years, but certain areas—particularly those that cater to women’s health—remain underdeveloped.
—Janet Zhang, Forbes, 10 Dec. 2024
With considerable government support and India’s depth of technical talent, there’s hope that AI efforts will lift up the country’s massive and underdeveloped agricultural sector.
—IEEE Spectrum, 10 Dec. 2024
Existing organizations are mostly small and underdeveloped: the Society of Women Engineers, for instance, had a revenue of $17.6 million in 2023.
—Celia Ford, Vox, 3 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for underdeveloped
Dictionary Entries Near underdeveloped
Cite this Entry
“Underdeveloped.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/underdeveloped. Accessed 24 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
underdeveloped
adjective
un·der·de·vel·oped
ˌən-dər-di-ˈvel-əpt
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
: not normally or adequately developed
underdeveloped muscles
underdeveloped lungs
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