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

Etymology

Origin of underperform

under- + perform

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

underperform

Strategists, led by Beata Manthey, wrote in a note published Sunday that U.S. stocks usually underperform after the first decision to raise rates before advancing over the following six to 12 months.

From MarketWatch ● Sep. 8, 2026

The trouble with stirring up controversy, he admitted, is that it comes crashing down on your head if you underperform.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 6, 2026

“If revenues underperform or planned savings prove more difficult to achieve, pressure to identify additional cost reductions could increase,” the report said.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 19, 2026

Keeping an underperform rating on the stock, one of the investment bank’s analysts tells clients in a note that they think IAG’s fiscal 2027 guidance for GWP growth of 5%-8% is very strong.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 14, 2026

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

From "Becoming" by Michelle Obama