underperform

verb

un·​der·​per·​form ˌən-dər-pər-ˈfȯrm 

-pə-ˈfȯrm

underperformed; underperforming; underperforms

transitive verb

: to do worse than

intransitive verb

: to fail to do as well as expected

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

If the hardware degrades, the system underperforms, even when power and cooling systems are functioning as expected, ultimately resulting in the data center not truly having 99.9999% uptime. —Baratunde Cola, Forbes.com, 23 July 2025

The company reiterated its forecast that organic revenue will increase 5% to 6% in 2025. Don’t miss these insights from CNBC PRO Berkshire Hathaway is underperforming after Buffett’s exit news, now trails the S&P 500 This is one of the most attractive opportunities for income, Vanguard says. —Amelia Lucas, CNBC, 22 July 2025

Bowen was at risk of being replaced after last season — when co-owner John Mara singled out his unit as underperforming. —Pat Leonard, New York Daily News, 19 July 2025

Stone reprised her role as Catherine Tramell in the 2006 sequel Basic Instinct 2, which underperformed at the box office. —Ryan Gajewski, HollywoodReporter, 17 July 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