underdeveloped

adjective

Definition of underdevelopednext
as in undeveloped

Related Words

Relevance

Dissimilar Words

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of underdeveloped The underdeveloped character proved to be the perfect canvas for the early Cartoon Network writers to impose their sensibilities onto. — Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 10 Sep. 2026 She had been born with a condition called Amish lethal microcephaly that causes an unusually small head and underdeveloped brain. — CBS News, 10 Sep. 2026 Across state and federal lands, accommodations designated for Black Americans were routinely and nakedly inferior, relegated to remote, underdeveloped parcels or mosquito-prone swamplands. — Kimmie Gordon, Chicago Tribune, 22 Aug. 2026 The movie’s only weak link is an underdeveloped romantic subplot involving CODA’s Emilia Jones. — The Week Us, TheWeek, 17 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for underdeveloped
Recent Examples of Synonyms for underdeveloped
  1. undeveloped
  2. backward
Adjective
  • The Roadless Rule was adopted in 2001 after years of public debate over how much of the country’s remaining undeveloped national forest land should be protected from roads and commercial development.
    — Christiana Freitag, Chicago Tribune, 4 Oct. 2026
  • At 16 feet, flooding of low-lying undeveloped areas along the creek begins.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of undeveloped
Adjective
  • What is likely is point deductions, enforced looking forward, not backward.
    — Kevin Baxter, Los Angeles Times, 29 Sep. 2026
  • However, limiting investment in inventory tracking is a backward budgeting decision.
    — Ben Hussey, Forbes.com, 28 Sep. 2026
Definition of backward

Browse Nearby Words

undercutting
underdeveloped
underdiagnose
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Underdeveloped.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/underdeveloped. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

The Words of the Week - Oct. 9

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)
See More

Popular

See More

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
a cup of tea and a golf ball on tee side by side
Quiz: Sounds Like... Choose the word that sounds like it fits the clue...
See All