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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.
According to one study , the top ~4% of stocks generate all net long-term wealth creation while the median stock massively underperforms the index. Michael Khouw, CNBC, 28 Nov. 2025 Six Flags has no plans to sell Knott’s Berry Farm or Six Flags Magic Mountain as the struggling company considers selling underperforming amusement parks amid a plummeting stock price and declining revenues. Brady MacDonald, Oc Register, 28 Nov. 2025 Then consider both head coaches — Sean McDermott in Buffalo and Mike Tomlin in Pittsburgh — have been consistent winners but neither has had a particularly smooth ride over the past year-plus, and both have groups that are underperforming so far this season. Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 28 Nov. 2025 His Cincinnati run and Ohio State pedigree were selling points for the program’s reset, but Wisconsin has underperformed immensely the last two college football seasons. Rowan Fisher-Shotton, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Nov. 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 4 Dec. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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