underdeveloped

adjective

un·​der·​de·​vel·​oped ˌən-dər-di-ˈve-ləpt How to pronounce underdeveloped (audio)
Synonyms of underdevelopednext
1
: not normally or adequately developed
underdeveloped muscles
underdeveloped film
2
: having a relatively low economic level of industrial production and standard of living (as from lack of capital)
underdeveloped nations
underdevelopment
ˌən-dər-di-ˈve-ləp-mənt How to pronounce underdeveloped (audio)
noun

Examples of underdeveloped in a Sentence

The baby was born with underdeveloped lungs.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Japan’s recent scrapping of lethal weapons export ban could also help strengthen the country's underdeveloped defense industry. — ABC News, 3 Aug. 2026 Managers who are not developing become the ceiling for every person under them, and the accumulation of underdeveloped management ceilings is what an 80% pipeline-confidence gap looks like from the inside. — Cindy Rodriguez Constable, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026 The relatively weak link in the script is Nancy, who’s too underdeveloped as a character to give her burgeoning romance with Tony much structure, and consequently gives Jones (CODA) little to work with. — David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 29 July 2026 Why So Much Hate feels too underdeveloped lyrically to come off as strong as other precocious teenage debuts like Joey Bada$$’ 1999. — Lei Takanashi, Pitchfork, 27 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for underdeveloped

Word History

First Known Use

1892, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of underdeveloped was in 1892

Rhymes for underdeveloped

See All Rhymes for underdeveloped

Browse Nearby Words

underdeck tonnage
underdeveloped
underdiagnose
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Cite this Entry

“Underdeveloped.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/underdeveloped. Accessed 5 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

underdeveloped

adjective
un·​der·​de·​vel·​oped ˌən-dər-di-ˈvel-əpt How to pronounce underdeveloped (audio)
1
: not developed normally or enough
underdeveloped muscles
2
: having a low level of industrial production and standard of living
the underdeveloped nations

Medical Definition

underdeveloped

adjective
un·​der·​de·​vel·​oped ˌən-dər-di-ˈvel-əpt How to pronounce underdeveloped (audio)
: not normally or adequately developed
underdeveloped muscles
underdeveloped lungs

More from Merriam-Webster on underdeveloped

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for underdeveloped

Nglish: Translation of underdeveloped for Spanish Speakers

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