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.
While the decision to undergo corporate restructuring should not be made lightly and successful outcomes aren't guaranteed, 363 sales within Chapter 11 bankruptcy can provide a mechanism to shed underperforming assets and address balance sheet challenges. Jonathan Carson, Forbes.com, 12 June 2026 His propensity for committing silly fouls has been a common talking point when his teams have underperformed. Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 12 June 2026 When New Jersey and other states hosted matches during the 1994 World Cup, the host cities underperformed economic forecasts for that tournament by an average of $712 million, according to a study published by economists Robert Baade and Victor Matheson in 2007. Tom Huddleston Jr. juhohn Lee, CNBC, 12 June 2026 Fans of both have had to endure constant razzing for underperforming on the big stage. Austin Perry Outkick, FOXNews.com, 10 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 21 Jun. 2026.

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