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.
The company's stock has also underperformed since the April 2025 tariff announcement, with a gain of only 2% since then. Liz Napolitano, CNBC, 20 Feb. 2026 Kroger has closed older, underperforming stores before and is building Kroger Marketplaces in fast-growing areas like far north Fort Worth, where a Sendera Ranch location broke ground last June. Fousia Abdullahi, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 19 Feb. 2026 Set for release in 2026, the four-part drama adapts James Graham’s hit National Theatre play about manager Gareth Southgate’s battle to overturn the decades-long record of underperforming loss suffered by England’s soccer team. John Hopewell, Variety, 18 Feb. 2026 It was designed to acquire middle- and low-income apartment complexes on floating rate loans for properties that were underperforming with the promise they could be fixed up, marketed and better managed to return more profit before being sold off at a premium. Paul Flahive, Austin American Statesman, 16 Feb. 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 23 Feb. 2026.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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