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.
As dominant as the Stars were at five-on-five in the regular season — outscoring opponents 170-138 — they were outscored 35-25 in 18 playoff games last year, again greatly underperforming their underlying metrics. Mark Lazerus, New York Times, 26 Apr. 2026 In fact, going all the way back to 2010, more than half of large cap money managers underperformed the S&P 500. Terry Savage, Chicago Tribune, 25 Apr. 2026 The previous two albums had underperformed. Victoria Edel, PEOPLE, 25 Apr. 2026 Your previous two albums underperformed and the pressure was high. Devon Ivie, Vulture, 24 Apr. 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.grautoblog.com/dictionary/underperform. Accessed 27 Apr. 2026.

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