underdeveloped
adjective
un·der·de·vel·oped
ˌən-dər-di-ˈve-ləpt 
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
Examples of underdeveloped in a Sentence
The baby was born with underdeveloped lungs.
Recent Examples on the Web
There’s a satellite placed here or there around otherwise underdeveloped surroundings.
—
Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 3 Apr. 2026
Infiniti lets us in on Agnes’ mounting disillusionment in small doses hinting at pain and, possibly, rage (add Carrie to the underdeveloped influences).
—Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 2 Apr. 2026
Plus, even lovers of low taxes will concede that Miami’s mass-transit network is extremely underdeveloped compared with New York or Chicago.
—Shawn Tully, Fortune, 31 Mar. 2026
At points, Hernández gets distracted with side quests into material about his college experience and underdeveloped jokes about immigration policy that don’t play into his strengths.
—Hershal Pandya, Vulture, 30 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for underdeveloped
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Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 3 Apr. 2026
Infiniti lets us in on Agnes’ mounting disillusionment in small doses hinting at pain and, possibly, rage (add Carrie to the underdeveloped influences).
—Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 2 Apr. 2026
Plus, even lovers of low taxes will concede that Miami’s mass-transit network is extremely underdeveloped compared with New York or Chicago.
—Shawn Tully, Fortune, 31 Mar. 2026
At points, Hernández gets distracted with side quests into material about his college experience and underdeveloped jokes about immigration policy that don’t play into his strengths.
—Hershal Pandya, Vulture, 30 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for underdeveloped
Cite this Entry
“Underdeveloped.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/underdeveloped. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
underdeveloped
adjective
un·der·de·vel·oped
ˌən-dər-di-ˈvel-əpt
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
: not normally or adequately developed
underdeveloped muscles
underdeveloped lungs
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