underperform

American  

[uhn-der-per-fawrm] / ˌʌn dər pərˈfɔrm /

verb (used with or without object)

1. to perform less well than (another of its kind, a general average, etc.) or less well than expected.

   Surprisingly, the stock has underperformed the market indexes all year. Several of our best players consistently underperform.

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Other Word Forms

• underperformance
  noun

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Etymology

Origin of underperform

under- + perform

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

underperform

In a higher-yield environment, the expensive valuations of artificial-intelligence-fueled stocks suddenly matter and this is why they are starting to underperform.

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 27, 2026

If the technology group begins to underperform while the rest of the market holds up, stocks could start trading more closely together, and correlations could rise.

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 18, 2026

A ratio only suggests SPY is likely to underperform, which could mean it falls faster, rises more slowly or moves in the opposite direction.

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 18, 2026

Bernstein has an underperform recommendation on the stock with a price target of 24.50 pounds.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 12, 2026

Your passion stays low, yet under no circumstance will you underperform.

From "Becoming" by Michelle Obama

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