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Definitions

dark horse

NOUN
remote possibility
Synonyms
STRONGEST
also-ran long shot sleeper underdog
WEAK
hundred-to-one shot improbability little chance little opportunity outside chance outside shot poor bet poor lookout poor possibility poor prognosis poor prospect slim chance small chance stalking horse unexpected winner unknown unknown quantity unlikelihood unlikely winner upsetter

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.

That angst was a big reason why 64-year-old Sanae Takaichi surged from dark horse to Japan’s first female prime minister in October.

From Barron's • Jan. 8, 2026

At the same time, Darnold has emerged as both a dark horse to be this season’s MVP and an incredible bargain: His $33.5 million a year contract is far cheaper than the game’s highest-paid passers.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 13, 2025

The medical drama entered the night as a dark horse contender, with many predicting Apple TV+‘s “Severance” would win the category.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 14, 2025

By some accounts, he was a dark horse in a conclave race which many predicted would deliver unto us a Pope Pizzaballa.

From Salon • May 10, 2025

This card, the one with the dark man on a dark horse, this means jealousy, and this one, sorrow.

From "The House on Mango Street" by Sandra Cisneros