Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
dictionary thesaurus view recents

underinvest

intransitive verb
Save Word

Definition of underinvest

: to invest insufficient resources free markets underinvest in pure research, so government needs to finance it— Nicholas Lemann

Love words?

You must — there are over 200,000 words in our free online dictionary, but you are looking for one that’s only in the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary.

Start your free trial today and get unlimited access to America's largest dictionary, with:

  • More than 250,000 words that aren't in our free dictionary
  • Expanded definitions, etymologies, and usage notes
  • Advanced search features
  • Ad free!

Other Words from underinvest

underinvestment \ ˌ⸗⸗⸗ˈ⸗⸗ \ noun

History and Etymology for underinvest

under entry 1 + invest entry 2

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about underinvest

Statistics for underinvest

Cite this Entry

“Underinvest.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/underinvest. Accessed 4 Aug. 2020.

More from Merriam-Webster on underinvest

Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with underinvest

Comments on underinvest

What made you want to look up underinvest? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

Show Comments  Hide Comments 

WORD OF THE DAY

aficionado

Listen to the pronunciation of aficionado

See Definitions and Examples »

Test Your Vocabulary

July 2020 Words of the Day Quiz

  • papercraft sunset
  • Which is a synonym of mien?
Spell It

Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?

TAKE THE QUIZ
Dictionary Devil

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play
Ask the Editors
Word Games