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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.

Origin of underdog

1875–80, Americanism; under- + dog1

Words nearby underdog

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

Example sentences 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