underdog

noun

un·​der·​dog ˈən-dər-ˌdȯg 

1

: a loser or predicted loser in a struggle or contest

2

: a victim of injustice or persecution

Examples 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 only underdog of more than 9 points is Creighton in its battle with Auburn, and every other favorite is laying 6.5 points or fewer as of Saturday morning. —Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 22 Mar. 2025

Context: That win earned them a 12th seed in the men's NCAA tournament — but don't let that number fool you, this is far from a Cinderella team, or even an underdog, DNVR Rams reporter Justin Michael tells us. —Esteban L. Hernandez, Axios, 21 Mar. 2025

The company will look to champion projects across film, television, and theater, highlighting underdogs and marginalized communities. —Greg Evans, Deadline, 21 Mar. 2025

If the Jayhawks beat Arkansas, KU will likely be an underdog the rest of the way. —Shreyas Laddha, Kansas City Star, 20 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1859, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for underdog

• analog
• analogue
• catalogue
• decalogue
• demagogue
• dialogue
• epilogue
• homologue
• monologue
• pedagogue
• synagogue
• tagalog

Kids Definition

underdog

noun

un·​der·​dog ˈən-dər-ˌdȯg 

: the loser or predicted loser in a struggle