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.
Wealthy Qatar and Saudi Arabia underperformed despite vast investments, casting doubt on Saudi Arabia's 2034 World Cup aspirations. Simon Chadwick, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026 Larger defense firms from around Europe, such as BAE Systems, Leonardo and Thales, have fared better, but still mostly underperformed the Stoxx 600 index, following massive gains since 2021. Elsa Ohlen, CNBC, 2 July 2026 Other bettors missed out and lost money, mistakenly placing wagers on Beasley to underperform the rebound total because of an apparent miscommunication, the indictment said. ABC News, 1 July 2026 There’s a consistent pattern in failed or underperforming AI initiatives. David De Cremer, Harvard Business Review, 1 July 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 5 Jul. 2026.

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