underdeveloped
underdeveloped Lexical Profile
underdeveloped Game Scores & Validity
• adjective
Not having reached a normal, mature, or expected level of physical, intellectual, or structural growth.
"The critic noted that while the novel's premise was intriguing, the secondary characters remained disappointingly underdeveloped."
Having a relatively low level of economic productivity, industrial infrastructure, and technological advancement (used of a country or region).
"The government allocated new funds to bring clean water and electricity to underdeveloped rural districts."
Processed for too short a time or with weakened chemicals, resulting in a faint, pale image lacking contrast (in photography).
"Because the chemical bath was too cold, the negatives came out pale and underdeveloped."
Word Nuance & Usage
In contemporary economics and international relations, describing a nation as "underdeveloped" is often avoided due to perceived condescending connotations; terms such as "developing" or "low-income" are generally preferred.