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
Developing Financial Infrastructure In some parts of Central and Southeastern Europe, the financial infrastructure remains underdeveloped, limiting access to sophisticated investment products and banking services.
—
Francois Botha, Forbes, 13 Oct. 2024
Review scores range greatly on Metacritic, but there are a lot of middling scores that highlight the game’s lack of original ideas and underdeveloped characters.
—Echo Apsey, Rolling Stone, 6 Sep. 2024
Social media influencers and internet users, however, said the country was grossly misrepresented as underdeveloped and outdated.
—Patpicha Tanakasempipat / Bloomberg, TIME, 2 Aug. 2024
There was a heartbeat, but the fetus was very underdeveloped and there was very little amniotic fluid.
—Kristen Jordan Shamus, Detroit Free Press, 30 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for underdeveloped 
Francois Botha, Forbes, 13 Oct. 2024
Review scores range greatly on Metacritic, but there are a lot of middling scores that highlight the game’s lack of original ideas and underdeveloped characters.
—Echo Apsey, Rolling Stone, 6 Sep. 2024
Social media influencers and internet users, however, said the country was grossly misrepresented as underdeveloped and outdated.
—Patpicha Tanakasempipat / Bloomberg, TIME, 2 Aug. 2024
There was a heartbeat, but the fetus was very underdeveloped and there was very little amniotic fluid.
—Kristen Jordan Shamus, Detroit Free Press, 30 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for underdeveloped
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'underdeveloped.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near underdeveloped
Cite this Entry
“Underdeveloped.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/underdeveloped. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.
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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