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.

Dark-horse challenger Penny Mordaunt, the Conservative leader in the House of Commons, withdrew Monday just ahead of a deadline to secure endorsements.

From Washington Post • Oct. 24, 2022

Dark-horse Steel's most prominent backer turned out to be Commerce Secretary Henry A. Wallace, who had written him a letter of endorsement saying: "I wish you all success."

From Time Magazine Archive

Dark-horse candidates don't come much darker than Stanislaw Tyminski, the runner-up in Poland's presidential election last week.

From Time Magazine Archive

Dark-horse candidate for the $37,500 job, Professor Ogilvie is a celebrated economist.

From Time Magazine Archive

dark horse

Example Sentences

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