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

With a salary of $8 million annually in a 10-year contract, Cristobal is underperforming compared to most other coaches in his tax bracket. —Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 3 Nov. 2025

The Dodgers dealt with countless injuries and underperforming stars throughout the season. —Noah Camras, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Nov. 2025

Plenty of established but underperforming head coaches at power conference schools will be available for hire this winter. —Jon Wilner, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 Nov. 2025

Makeup sales slipped 2%, with Bobbi Brown underperforming and scaling back on certain color palette launches and promotional intensity. —Maliha Shoaib, Vogue, 30 Oct. 2025

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