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
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 
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.
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
Dictionary Entries Near underdeveloped
Cite this Entry
“Underdeveloped.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/underdeveloped. Accessed 15 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share