underdog

noun

un·​der·​dog ˈən-dər-ˌdȯg How to pronounce underdog (audio)
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
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.
The vice president took back the smallest of leads in the final forecast model from FiveThirtyEight after weeks of being the slight underdog. Jared Gans, The Hill, 5 Nov. 2024 Broncos are a 9-point underdog, the largest spread in the NFL this week. Matt Schubert, The Denver Post, 3 Nov. 2024 Likewise, your tender heart might side with the antelope, but the lion is the underdog in that competition, losing the vast majority of the time. Kathryn Schulz, The New Yorker, 28 Oct. 2024 Things are also looking precarious for Sen. Jon Tester (D-Mont.), who is now the underdog in his re-election fight vs. GOP challenger Tim Sheehey. Stef W. Kight, Axios, 27 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for underdog 

Word History

First Known Use

1859, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of underdog was in 1859

Dictionary Entries Near underdog

Cite this Entry

“Underdog.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/underdog. Accessed 30 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

underdog

noun
un·​der·​dog ˈən-dər-ˌdȯg How to pronounce underdog (audio)
: the loser or predicted loser in a struggle
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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