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
Due to the underdeveloped state of HRS (Hydrogen Refueling Station) infrastructure, SCAGE has a tremendous opportunity as a first mover.
—
Earl Carr, Forbes.com, 30 July 2025
The sector is underdeveloped compared to China, but Moscow views these minerals as strategically valuable—for domestic technological ambitions and as potential political leverage.
—Shane Croucher, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 July 2025
Working from a take on Bonney originated by Gore Vidal, Penn and Newman treat him as a rebel with an overdeveloped sense of justice and underdeveloped impulse control.
—Keith Phipps, Vulture, 18 July 2025
The Trump administration says the U.S. cannot appropriately vet visa applicants in countries with uncooperative governments or underdeveloped security systems.
—Charles Kurzman, The Conversation, 5 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for underdeveloped
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Earl Carr, Forbes.com, 30 July 2025
The sector is underdeveloped compared to China, but Moscow views these minerals as strategically valuable—for domestic technological ambitions and as potential political leverage.
—Shane Croucher, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 July 2025
Working from a take on Bonney originated by Gore Vidal, Penn and Newman treat him as a rebel with an overdeveloped sense of justice and underdeveloped impulse control.
—Keith Phipps, Vulture, 18 July 2025
The Trump administration says the U.S. cannot appropriately vet visa applicants in countries with uncooperative governments or underdeveloped security systems.
—Charles Kurzman, The Conversation, 5 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for underdeveloped
Cite this Entry
“Underdeveloped.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/underdeveloped. Accessed 2 Aug. 2025.
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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