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Meaning of underdog
A person or team that is expected to lose or be at a disadvantage.
Etymology of underdog
The word "underdog" originated in the mid-19th century, specifically in the context of dog fighting, where an "underdog" referred to a dog that was forced to fight from a defensive or subordinate position, often with its back against the wall or on its back
Over time, the term evolved to describe any person or team that is at a disadvantage or expected to lose
Synonyms
outsider
dark horse
long shot
challenger
contender
competitor
rival
opponent
adversary
nonentity
nobody
weakling
inferior
subordinate
junior
secondary
peripheral
marginal
fringe
also-ran
loser
failure
has-been
wannabe
pretender
upstart
newcomer
novice
amateur
rookie
underachiever
struggler
straggler
laggard
tail-ender
bottom-dweller
Definitions
- A person or team that is expected to lose or be at a disadvantage, especially in a competition or contest
- A person who is at a disadvantage or in a position of powerlessness
Usage Examples
- The underdog team won the championship in a surprise upset
- She was the underdog in the election, but her grassroots campaign helped her win
- The company was the underdog in the market, but it managed to gain a significant share