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.
Overall, schools in the district had severely underperformed on STAAR exams. Samuel O'Neal, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 16 Dec. 2025 As of October, regionals were underperforming their broader financial sector by 73% in total returns over the past 3 years, which was the most underperformance ever over rolling 3 year periods. Josh Brown,sean Russo, CNBC, 15 Dec. 2025 This includes a live-action take on Tangled being back in active development after THR reported in April that the film’s progress had been paused in light of Rachel Zegler and Gal Gadot’s live-action Snow White underperforming at the box office. Ryan Gajewski, HollywoodReporter, 15 Dec. 2025 There’s also growing concern about the level of leverage, particularly given the technology may underperform its high expectations. Neil Callanan, Fortune, 12 Dec. 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 21 Dec. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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