underdog

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Apple has come a long way from its days as a scrappy underdog in the personal-computing world.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 31, 2026

UConn’s upset means bettors who put money on the underdog will receive a larger payout.

From Barron's • Mar. 30, 2026

Gray Davis was a huge underdog who prevailed in a wide-open 1998 contest.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 29, 2026

While Byrne didn’t pull off a deserved underdog win last week, an Oscar nomination — alongside her Golden Globe win in January — carries a certain cachet regardless.

From Salon • Mar. 22, 2026

Because the disease was crippling, it may have provided Roosevelt with a greater compassion for the underdog; or perhaps it improved his striving for success.

From "Cosmos" by Carl Sagan