dark horse

7 synonyms and 2 antonyms for dark horse, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.

Noun — A competitor, candidate or contestant who is little known or thought unlikely to win, but who may surprise everyone by succeeding.

Synonyms

Less common

Still standard English, but they carry more weight.

outsider enigma

Rare, literary or technical

Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.

long shot underdog unknown quantity surprise contender closed book

Synonyms by Meaning

1. noun

A competitor, candidate or contestant who is little known or thought unlikely to win, but who may surprise everyone by succeeding.

“She started the leadership race as a dark horse and finished it as prime minister.”

outsider long shot underdog unknown quantity surprise contender

Opposites

favourite front-runner

2. noun informal

A person who keeps their talents, plans or private life quiet, so that others are surprised when the truth comes out.

“You're a dark horse — nobody knew you'd written a novel.”

enigma closed book

How to use dark horse

The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.

a real dark horse the dark horse of the race dark horse candidate emerge as a dark horse

Neutral to informal; common in sport, politics and business writing, and fine in newspaper prose.

Etymology

Originally an allusion to an unknown horse with a dark coat winning a race, as used in the 1831 novel The Young Duke by Benjamin Disraeli (1804–1881).

Full origin of dark horse →

Frequently asked questions

Is being called a dark horse a compliment?

Usually yes. It says you were underestimated rather than untalented, and it carries an air of hidden ability. The only mildly negative shade is the suggestion that you have been secretive.

What is the difference between a dark horse and an underdog?

An underdog is simply expected to lose, and everyone can see the odds against them. A dark horse is unknown rather than merely weak — the point is that nobody has enough information to judge them, so a win comes as a genuine shock.

Can a dark horse be used about a company or an idea?

Yes. Any contender in a competitive field can be a dark horse — a startup in a crowded market, a film in an awards race, or a city bidding to host an event.

People also searched

favourite outsider Enigma underdog

Nearby words

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