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.
Essentially, if the company underperformed, the taxpayer could be left to pick up part of its tab. John Cassidy, New Yorker, 10 Nov. 2025 From the outside, the picture at Saks Global isn’t pretty — underperforming sales, inventory issues, and increased debt from the purchase of NMG. David Moin, Footwear News, 10 Nov. 2025 Cook explained that some restaurants are underperforming and negatively impacting the brand and franchisee profitability. Diana Leyva, Nashville Tennessean, 10 Nov. 2025 If these elections had gone the other way — if the Democratic Party had underperformed or even lost one of these contests — then every commentator under the sun would say, rightfully, that Democrats were in disarray; that even the president’s deep unpopularity couldn’t keep them afloat with voters. Jamelle Bouie, Mercury News, 8 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 13 Nov. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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