underperform

verb

un·​der·​per·​form ˌən-dər-pər-ˈfȯrm How to pronounce underperform (audio)
-pə-ˈfȯrm
underperformed; underperforming; underperforms

transitive verb

: to do worse than

intransitive verb

: to fail to do as well as expected
underperformance noun
underperformer noun

Examples of underperform in a Sentence

The report shows which schools are underperforming.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
While stocks in the region, so far, have underperformed their emerging-market peers, letting down many investors, these lower valuations are attractive to KKR because of the positive macro trends. Mohammed Sergie, semafor.com, 9 Oct. 2025 The bank downgraded shares of the discount retailer to underperform from hold. Lisa Kailai Han, CNBC, 7 Oct. 2025 Wolf said that some markets are underperforming despite the giveaways. Lew Sichelman, Miami Herald, 7 Oct. 2025 The south-coast side have been notorious for underperforming their xG since becoming Premier League mainstays. Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for underperform

Word History

First Known Use

1971, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of underperform was in 1971

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Cite this Entry

“Underperform.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/underperform. Accessed 16 Oct. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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