underwhelm

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of underwhelm Meanwhile, the company’s AI suite, Apple Intelligence, continues to underwhelm. Morgan Chittum, CNBC, 23 May 2025 In the latter camp is Lana, who tries to honor her German heritage with a squash spaetzle that underwhelms the judges. Caroline Framke, Vulture, 16 May 2025 The value of that stake has soared in the past two years even though the team’s on-field performance has continued to underwhelm. John Dobosz, Forbes, 7 Dec. 2024 Unlike last season down the road with the Hoosiers in Bloomington, this NBA baptism has come in measured doses, intended not to overwhelm, but also with expectations of Ware not to underwhelm. Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 15 Nov. 2024 See All Example Sentences for underwhelm
Recent Examples of Synonyms for underwhelm
Verb
  • The leanness and intensity of the production — a 35-day shoot, with only 11 days in the main location — were exhilarating but wearying.
    Daniel D'Addario, Variety, 2 Sep. 2025
  • Disney-Marvel’s wearying blockbuster hopeful The Fantastic Four: First Steps — starring Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Joseph Quinn and Ebon Moss-Bachrach — dropped out of the top five at the domestic box office over the weekend as an underwhelming summer movie season draws to a close.
    Tim Lammers, Forbes.com, 31 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • In the film, one glowing maggot scores an oversized moth, wraps it up, then bores through its eye before eating its living brain.
    Ann Patchett, New Yorker, 29 Sep. 2025
  • Her mix of funky statement pieces and essentials strikes the ideal balance—proof that wearable doesn’t have to mean boring.
    Minty Mellon, Vogue, 27 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • But three weeks into their stay — Spain arrived in New Zealand well in advance of its first game, hoping to draw the sting from the jet lag — the place had started to pall.
    Rory Smith, New York Times, 3 Aug. 2023
  • But after a time, the combination of abrasive, impenetrably shellacked characters and deliberately, hopelessly tangled shaggy-dog storytelling begins to pall, and viewers may wish for a simpler way in.
    Guy Lodge, Variety, 7 Aug. 2022

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Cite this Entry

“Underwhelm.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/underwhelm. Accessed 7 Oct. 2025.

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