hangdog

[ hang-dawg, -dog ]

/ ˈhæŋˌdɔg, -ˌdɒg /

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adjective

browbeaten; defeated; intimidated; abject: He always went about with a hangdog look.

shamefaced; guilty: He sneaked out of the room with a hangdog expression.

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

noun

Archaic. a degraded, contemptible person.

Nearby words

Origin of hangdog

First recorded in 1670–80; hang + dog

SYNONYMS FOR hangdog

2 ashamed, contrite, crestfallen.

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR hangdog ON THESAURUS.COM

ANTONYMS FOR hangdog

1 confident, assured.

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Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for hangdog

“I don't think anyone quite understands how it gets resolved,” he said with trace of hangdog sadness.
Hostage to His Caucus, John Boehner Can’t Keep His Message Straight|John Avlon|March 4, 2013|DAILY BEAST
He was renowned for his violent pedigree, although few people other than militants would have recognized his broad, hangdog face.
My Trip With a Terrorist|Eliza Griswold|August 27, 2010|DAILY BEAST
He straightened and a little of the hangdog servility dropped away.
The Clean and Wholesome Land|Ralph Sholto
He was a loose-limbed, swarthy, slouching giant with a hangdog look.
Tales from Dickens|Charles Dickens and Hallie Erminie Rives

He formed a marked contrast to his partner,—being tall, dark and slender, with a hangdog expression on his face.
The Adventures of the Eleven Cuff-Buttons|James Francis Thierry
The look in Trenwith's eyes, and the sheepish, hangdog expression of his whole face made Eleanor gasp.
The Camp Fire Girls at the Seashore|Jane L. Stewart
There was no lowering of the eyelids when they confessed; no hangdog look about the mouth.
The Underdog|F. Hopkinson Smith

British Dictionary definitions for hangdog

hangdog

/ (ˈhæŋˌdɒɡ) /

adjective

downcast, furtive, or guilty in appearance or manner

noun

a furtive or sneaky person

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

hangdog

adjective

noun

RELATED WORDS

Nearby words

Origin of hangdog

Examples from the Web for hangdog

British Dictionary definitions for hangdog

hangdog

adjective

noun