underperform

verb

un·​der·​per·​form ˌən-dər-pər-ˈfȯrm 

-pə-ˈfȯrm

underperformed; underperforming; underperforms

transitive verb

: to do worse than

… it believes the company will underperform other relatives covered by the firm …

—Jim Milliot

intransitive verb

: to fail to do as well as expected

The stocks underperformed.

underperformance

ˌən-dər-pər-ˈfȯr-mən(t)s 

-pə-ˈfȯr-

noun

underperformer noun

Examples of underperform in a Sentence

The report shows which schools are underperforming.

Recent Examples on the Web

American medicine, much like talented World Cup teams that didn't win, boasts exceptional resources and talent that underperforms. — Robert Pearl, Forbes.com, 23 July 2026

Grand Canyon shares have fallen 20% over the past three months, underperforming the 5% gain in the S & P 500, according to FactSet data. — Assiatou Hann, CNBC, 23 July 2026

Like many of the club’s acquisitions, Straus’ had been lauded as a definitive step in the right direction for a team that has largely underperformed. — Tamerra Griffin, New York Times, 21 July 2026

Indeed, Hollywood breathes a sigh of relief after a few rocky recent weeks, including last weekend’s disappointing opening for Disney’s live-action Moana that followed underperforming debuts for Supergirl and Minions & Monsters. — Ryan Gajewski, HollywoodReporter, 19 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1971, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Rhymes for underperform

• cuneiform
• iodoform
• nonuniform
• brainstorm
• conform
• deform
• firestorm
• hailstorm
• inform
• landform
• lukewarm
• perform