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
Although large portions of the postcolonial world remained underdeveloped, and multilateral institutions disproportionately benefited the richest nations, there was space for reemerging noncommunist economies in Asia and Africa to assert their interests in the postwar order.
—
Michael Brenes, Foreign Affairs, 28 Jan. 2025
The quote has been cited over the years for two separate purposes: to allege that the American understanding of soccer was still somewhat underdeveloped at that time, but also as evidence that defenders simply don’t have the star attraction of forwards.
—Michael Cox, The Athletic, 24 Jan. 2025
Yet, the adaptive fashion market remains underdeveloped.
—Kate Hardcastle, Forbes, 22 Jan. 2025
Infection in other species often requires exposure to a large amount of virus, or a compromised or underdeveloped immune system.
—Kimberly Dodd, The Conversation, 16 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for underdeveloped 
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Michael Brenes, Foreign Affairs, 28 Jan. 2025
The quote has been cited over the years for two separate purposes: to allege that the American understanding of soccer was still somewhat underdeveloped at that time, but also as evidence that defenders simply don’t have the star attraction of forwards.
—Michael Cox, The Athletic, 24 Jan. 2025
Yet, the adaptive fashion market remains underdeveloped.
—Kate Hardcastle, Forbes, 22 Jan. 2025
Infection in other species often requires exposure to a large amount of virus, or a compromised or underdeveloped immune system.
—Kimberly Dodd, The Conversation, 16 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for underdeveloped
Dictionary Entries Near underdeveloped
Cite this Entry
“Underdeveloped.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/underdeveloped. Accessed 8 Feb. 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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