undergo
Americanverb (used with object)
verb
Usage
What is another way to say undergo? To undergo something is to be subjected to or to endure that thing. How does undergo differ from experience? Find out on Thesaurus.com.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
-
undergosimple
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undergoessimple
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have undergoneperfect
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has undergoneperfect
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am undergoingprogressive
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are undergoingprogressive
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is undergoingprogressive
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have been undergoingperfect progressive
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has been undergoingperfect progressive
Past
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underwentsimple
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had undergoneperfect
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was undergoingprogressive
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were undergoingprogressive
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had been undergoingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of undergo
First recorded before 1000; Middle English undergon, Old English undergān. See under-, go 1
Explanation
Undergo means "endure until something is complete." You might undergo testing to check your hearing or undergo special training if you want to volunteer at a homeless shelter. The verb undergo means "experience" or "undertake." It is often used to describe medical procedures, such as, an injured quarterback who will undergo shoulder surgery. The word implies that it is something that has to happen so that a positive change occurs, like healing in the case of the quarterback or greater communication skills for a hot-tempered person who undergoes anger management training.
Vocabulary lists containing undergo
Word Generation Weekly - Series 3
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The Red Umbrella
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“On Civil Disobedience” by Mohandas K. Gandhi
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
As the surrounding environment adjusts, these impurities still undergo slight movements.
From Science Daily • Jul. 9, 2026
Called the FP-7, it will undergo flight tests this summer, according to company founder Denys Shtilerman.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jul. 9, 2026
"It doesn’t necessarily imply demolition, but the building must undergo a technical review to determine if it can be repaired," he told to AFP.
From Barron's • Jul. 8, 2026
A spokesperson said: "Where required, contact tracing will occur and contacts may undergo clinical assessment and precautionary testing."
From BBC • Jun. 30, 2026
When a child learns language, they undergo a very extensive form of enculturation.
From "Music and the Child" by Natalie Sarrazin
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
