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
ˌən-dər-pər-ˈfȯr-mən(t)s How to pronounce underperform (audio)
-pə-ˈfȯr-
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 important as some of the messages in The Social Reckoning are, the movie has been drastically underperforming at the box office. — Charles Pulliam-Moore, The Verge, 12 Oct. 2026 Shares have fallen nearly 4% in 2026, underperforming the overall market. — Liz Napolitano, CNBC, 12 Oct. 2026 Bank stocks have been underperforming the market recently, too. — Morgan Chittum, Fortune, 8 Oct. 2026 As Florida continued to underperform, his job began to shake. — Noah White, Miami Herald, 8 Oct. 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

Rhymes for underperform

See All Rhymes for underperform

Browse Nearby Words

underpeopled
underperform
underpick
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Cite this Entry

“Underperform.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/underperform. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

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