hangdog

[hang-dawg, -dog]

adjective

1. shamefaced; guilty.

   He sneaked out of the room with a hangdog expression.

   Synonyms: contrite, sheepish, ashamed

2. browbeaten; defeated; intimidated.

   He always went about with a hangdog look.

   Synonyms: crestfallen, wretched
   Antonyms: assured, confident

3. suitable to a degraded or contemptible person; sneaky; furtive.

noun

1. a degraded, contemptible person.

hangdog

/ ˈhæŋˌdɒɡ /

adjective

1. downcast, furtive, or guilty in appearance or manner

noun

1. a furtive or sneaky person

Word History and Origins

Origin of hangdog¹

First recorded in 1670–80; hang + dog

Example Sentences

“The Lowdown” tames Lee’s mania for his cause through the barely obscured current of hangdog defeat weakly powering his personal life.

From Salon

‘THE OUTLAWS’ Prime Video Gangly, gawky Stephen Merchant puts his physicality and hangdog persona to fine use in this British crime comedy.

From Los Angeles Times

“Please, don’t make me talk so much,” he said recently, in a low register, his hangdog eyes pleading with the universe.

From New York Times

As a detective, he’s a superhero, with keen powers of observation, but as a person, he’s the hangdog underdog, the little guy, upon whom his foes look with disdain.

From Los Angeles Times

Dressed in a blue blazer, Mr Cohen had ditched the tie but kept his signature hangdog expression and thick Long Island accent.

From BBC