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
… 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 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.
Last year, hopes had been high for Vertex's Journavx, the first new class of pain medicine approved in over two decades, but the rival pain drug has underperformed analysts' estimates. Justin Zacks, CNBC, 4 June 2026 In 2014, Lowes Foods began pulling out of Charlotte, swapping stores with Harris Teeter and closing underperforming stores as part of a reinvestment strategy. Charlotte Observer, 4 June 2026 Despite a big-name lineup, the Padres have lost seven of their past eight games and underperformed throughout the season, ranking 30th in batting average and 29th in OPS. Matt Gelb, New York Times, 3 June 2026 The primary area of caution surrounds downturn resilience, where MSFT has historically underperformed the index during significant sell-offs. Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 1 June 2026 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 13 Jun. 2026.

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