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

intransitive verb

: to fail to do as well as expected
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.
Blackburn is set to become a free agent at the end of the season and eating the rest of his $4.05 million is more palatable than eating the money for Frankie Montas, a similarly underperforming right-hander who is making $17 million this season and has a player option for $17 million next season. Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 16 Aug. 2025 Target — The retailer briefly fell as much as 2.2% after Bank of America downgraded Target to underperform from neutral and trimmed its price target on the stock. Scott Schnipper, CNBC, 15 Aug. 2025 Key News Asian equities were mostly lower overnight, as Vietnam and Mainland China’s STAR Market outperformed, while Japan and Hong Kong underperformed. Brendan Ahern, Forbes.com, 14 Aug. 2025 But rather than Trump making gains — his vote total increased by only about 2,200 from 2020 — election results show Vice President Kamala Harris in 2024 underperformed Joe Biden’s 2020 winning total by nearly 410,000 ballots. Rick Pearson, Chicago Tribune, 14 Aug. 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 19 Aug. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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