underdog

[uhn-der-dawg, -dog]

See more synonyms for underdog on Thesaurus.com

noun

a person who is expected to lose in a contest or conflict.
a victim of social or political injustice: The underdogs were beginning to organize their protests.

Origin of underdog

1875–80, Americanism; under- + dog1

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for underdog

Contemporary Examples

Before I was the underdog, slowly growing so people were rooting me on.
The Hot Designer Who Hates Fashion: VK Nagrani Triumphs His Own Way
Tom Teodorczuk
December 1, 2014
Weiland may look like an underdog across much of the state, but he has a big advantage in one area: Indian Country.
South Dakota's Bizarre Four-Way (Senate Election, That Is)
Ben Jacobs
October 15, 2014
I've always felt like the underdog, so it was a big deal for me.
Michael B. Jordan: Playing a Black Superhero in 'Fantastic Four' Is a 'Huge Responsibility'
Kevin Fallon
September 28, 2014
Jack Hatch is an underdog who has been written off by the pundits.
2016 Dark Horse Martin O'Malley Is Boosting Iowa Democrats (and Himself)
Ben Jacobs
September 22, 2014
In the 19th century, both sides saw England as the underdog.
We're Still Fighting the Opium Wars
William O’Connor
August 28, 2014

Historical Examples

You know, it's quite all right to give the underdog a hand, but only one hand.
A Slave is a Slave
Henry Beam Piper
But Gud did not hear the bark of the Underdog, for Gud was dead.
The Book of Gud
Dan Spain
So Gud spoke comradely to the Underdog and the Underdog wagged cordially.
The Book of Gud
Dan Spain
When the Underdog returned there followed at his heels a handsome Devil.
The Book of Gud
Dan Spain
And we knew for the first time that a man may smile and smile and be an underdog.
Pieces of Hate
Heywood Broun

British Dictionary definitions for underdog

underdog

noun

the competitor least likely to win a fight or contest
a person in adversity or in a position of inferiority

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

Word Origin and History for underdog

n.

"the beaten dog in a fight," 1887, from under + dog (n.). Cf. top dog "dominant person in a situation or hierarchy."

I'm a poor underdog
But tonight I will bark
With the great Overdog
That romps through the dark.

[from "Canis Major," Robert Frost, 1928]

underdog

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Examples from the Web for underdog

Contemporary Examples

Before I was the underdog, slowly growing so people were rooting me on.

Weiland may look like an underdog across much of the state, but he has a big advantage in one area: Indian Country.

I've always felt like the underdog, so it was a big deal for me.

Jack Hatch is an underdog who has been written off by the pundits.

In the 19th century, both sides saw England as the underdog.

Historical Examples

You know, it's quite all right to give the underdog a hand, but only one hand.

But Gud did not hear the bark of the Underdog, for Gud was dead.

So Gud spoke comradely to the Underdog and the Underdog wagged cordially.

When the Underdog returned there followed at his heels a handsome Devil.

And we knew for the first time that a man may smile and smile and be an underdog.

underdog

Word Origin and History for underdog

n.

Origin of underdog