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

Stellantis is likely to continue underperforming as its turnaround efforts take more time to translate into market share gains, according to JPMorgan. — Liz Napolitano, CNBC, 9 July 2026

The mayor underperformed with Jewish voters in the 2025 election and has been a strident critic of Israel throughout his fast-rising political career. — Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 8 July 2026

Les Lions had underperformed in the group stage, teetering on the verge of elimination. — Albert Samaha, New Yorker, 6 July 2026

Minions and Monsters underperformed at the domestic box office this 4th of July weekend. — Bethy Squires, Vulture, 5 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