underperform

verb

un·​der·​per·​form ˌən-dər-pər-ˈfȯrm 

-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

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

During his five years as chief executive of Bloomin’ Brands, from 2019 to 2024, shares slipped 15%, vastly underperforming the S&P 500 and rivals like Darden Restaurants and Texas Roadhouse. — Phil Wahba, Fortune, 30 July 2026

Key power hitters like Kyle Manzardo and Rhys Hoskins are underperforming significantly. — Bernie Pleskoff, Forbes.com, 28 July 2026

Shares have plunged 34% year to date, vastly underperforming the overall market. — Liz Napolitano, CNBC, 24 July 2026

Like many of the club’s acquisitions, Straus’ had been lauded as a definitive step in the right direction for a team that has largely underperformed. — Tamerra Griffin, New York Times, 21 July 2026

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