underdog

[ uhn-der-dawg, -dog ]

/ ˈʌn dərˌdɔg, -ˌdɒg /

SEE 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.

Words nearby underdog

undercutter, underdaks, underdevelop, underdeveloped, underdo, underdog, underdone, underdraft, underdrain, underdrainage, underdraw

Origin of underdog

1875–80, Americanism; under- + dog1

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Examples from the Web for underdog

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|DAILY BEAST
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|DAILY BEAST
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|DAILY BEAST
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|DAILY BEAST

In the 19th century, both sides saw England as the underdog.
We're Still Fighting the Opium Wars|William O’Connor|August 28, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The Underdog had become worried over his master's long absence and had trailed him with his unerring canine scent.
The Book of Gud|Dan Spain
But Gud did not hear the bark of the Underdog, for Gud was dead.
The Book of Gud|Dan Spain
And Fidu, the Underdog, followed after Gud, for why shouldn't a mad dog follow a mad master?
The Book of Gud|Dan Spain
Gud was lonely, for he missed his faithful companion, the Underdog, whom he had sold into slavery.
The Book of Gud|Dan Spain
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

British Dictionary definitions for underdog

underdog

/ (ˈʌndəˌdɒɡ) /

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

underdog

noun

Words related to underdog

Words nearby underdog

Origin of underdog

Examples from the Web for underdog

British Dictionary definitions for underdog

noun