undergo

verb

un·​der·​go ˌən-dər-ˈgō 

underwent ˌən-dər-ˈwent  ; undergone ˌən-dər-ˈgȯn 

 also  -ˈgän

; undergoing ˌən-dər-ˈgō-iŋ 

-ˈgȯ(-)iŋ

transitive verb

1

: to submit to : endure

2

: to go through : experience

undergo a transformation

3

obsolete : undertake

4

obsolete : to partake of

Synonyms

• endure
• experience
• feel
• have
• know
• pass
• see
• suffer
• sustain
• taste
• witness

Examples of undergo in a Sentence

She will have to undergo an operation.

some people undergo a complete transformation while away at college

Recent Examples on the Web

The pontiff, who has led the Catholic Church since 2013, underwent another round of clinical tests on Sunday morning, Vatican sources told ABC News. —Phoebe Natanson, ABC News, 24 Feb. 2025

Energy And Technology At The Crossroads The energy industry is undergoing a major transformation. —Shankar Narayanan, Forbes, 24 Feb. 2025

The guest rooms and suites, each with their own individual layouts, also underwent a recent renovation. —Elycia Rubin, The Hollywood Reporter, 24 Feb. 2025

The pontiff was admitted to a clinic in Rome on February 14, and initially underwent tests for a respiratory tract infection. —Antonia Mortensen, CNN, 23 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for undergo

• afterglow
• akimbo
• albino
• aliquot
• allegro
• amigo
• apropos
• audio
• bungalow
• calico
• calypso
• cameo

Kids Definition

undergo

verb

un·​der·​go ˌən-dər-ˈgō 

underwent

-ˈwent

; undergone -ˈgȯn 

 also  -ˈgän

; undergoing -ˈgō-iŋ 

1

: endure sense 2

undergo an operation

2

: to pass through : experience

undergoing a change