underdog

[ uhn-der-dawg, -dog ]

/ ˈʌn dərˌdɔg, -ˌdɒg /

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.

RELATED WORDS

out-of-towner

Nearby words

Origin of underdog

1875–80, Americanism; under- + dog1

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

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

Word Origin and History for underdog

underdog

"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

noun

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RELATED WORDS

Nearby words

Origin of underdog

Examples from the Web for underdog

underdog

noun

underdog