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

intransitive verb

: to fail to do as well as expected
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.
But there are some signs that may be starting to flip back now in the direction of the U.S. Major Vanguard ETFs tracking Europe, emerging markets and world markets excluding the U.S. are all underperforming the S & P 500 in July after outperforming through the first half. Jesse Pound, CNBC, 11 July 2025 Imagine handing a rising leader full accountability for an underperforming business unit. Vibhas Ratanjee, Forbes.com, 9 July 2025 He’s only won two races this season, and then there’s the case of the underperforming second Red Bull seat, which has already seen one driver swap this year (from Liam Lawson to Yuki Tsunoda). Madeline Coleman, New York Times, 9 July 2025 The executive order and memorandum included explicit tools for staff reduction including a general standard that no more than one employee should be hired for every four employees that depart, removing underperforming employees, and allowing term or temporary positions to expire without renewal. Nina Totenberg, NPR, 8 July 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 16 Jul. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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