This is the 4653rd most frequent German word.
unterlegen
"Unterlegen" means "inferior" or "to place underneath," depending on context.
Here, 'unterlegen' indicates being inferior or less capable in comparison.
Die Mannschaft war dem Gegner an Kraft unterlegen.
The team was inferior to the opponent in strength.
In this example, 'unterlegen' describes the act of placing something underneath another thing.
Ich habe den Teppich mit einer Matte unterlegt.
I placed a mat underneath the carpet.
Here, 'unterlegen' means to support or back up, providing evidence.