Final answer:
An underdog is seen as the less advantaged or less likely to win participant in a competition, evoking a sense of support from observers who admire their perseverance against tough odds.
Step-by-step explanation:
An "underdog" is typically seen as the less advantaged or less likely to win participant in a competition. Quite different from an antagonist, who serves as a direct opponent to the protagonist, an underdog doesn't necessarily have to be positioned against another specific character or entity but is rather perceived as having lower chances of success in comparison to the rest of the field. As such, the term underdog carries a connotation of sympathy and rooting interest among audiences or observers who often appreciate the effort and resolve that underdogs exhibit, particularly in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds.For example, in a political contest, particularly one where a system requires a substantial amount of votes for victory, a minor party or candidate lacking widespread support is considered an underdog.
They face an uphill battle to gain recognition or achieve electoral success, just like a small third party that struggles to survive against more popular parties. Likewise, the military strategist Sun Tzu recognized the disadvantage of arriving second to a battle, where such a force would be metaphorically considered the underdog due to their exhausted and unprepared state in contrast to an enemy who is already fresh and awaiting on the field.