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.
His Commanders opened as 5.5-point underdogs against the Eagles. Mike Sando, The Athletic, 20 Jan. 2025 Miami will likely be an underdog for every game the rest of this season, and Courtney — who moved up to the big chair when veteran coach Jim Larrañaga announced his retirement on Dec. 26 — is not sugarcoating anything. Walter Villa, Miami Herald, 19 Jan. 2025 Sure, the Commanders are a 9.5-point underdog on the way to Ford Field for Saturday night’s big-stage game. Dan Wiederer, Chicago Tribune, 17 Jan. 2025 Chiefs 28, Texans 14 Washington Commanders at Detroit Lions (Saturday, 8 p.m.) Wacker: This is another game in which the underdog’s defense will have trouble stopping the offense. Baltimore Sun Staff, Baltimore Sun, 17 Jan. 2025 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 24 Jan. 2025.

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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