underdog

[uhn-der-dawg, -dog]

noun

1. a person who is expected to lose in a contest or conflict.

2. a victim of social or political injustice.

   The underdogs were beginning to organize their protests.

underdog

/ ˈʌndəˌdɒɡ /

noun

1. the competitor least likely to win a fight or contest

2. a person in adversity or in a position of inferiority

Word History and Origins

Origin of underdog¹

1875–80, under- + dog ( def. )

Example Sentences

Her ever-present smile and the sparkle in her eyes were trademarks as she cheered on an unheralded underdog team that notched upset after upset before falling in the semifinals.

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Produced by David Beckham’s production company, Studio 99, “Victoria Beckham” inevitably paints its eponymous subject in a flattering light, doubling down on her characterization as an “underdog” from a working-class family.

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Tuchel's underdog claim makes a lot more sense, though, if you take the expected weather conditions into account across Canada, Mexico and the United States.

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The federal public defender for Southern California is in charge of a unit that’s always underfunded and perpetually an underdog against the might and resources of the government.

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Nate says it was an "unconventional choice", but key to the story the developers wanted to tell of an underdog defying society's expectations.

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Related Words

• dark horse 
• longshot www.thesaurus.com