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

“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

They cut their rating on the stock to underperform in their latest note.

From MarketWatch ● Aug. 10, 2026

While the company praised the box office performance of "Toy Story 5" and "The Devil Wears Prada 2," it saw "Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu" underperform.

From Barron's ● Aug. 5, 2026

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

From "Becoming" by Michelle Obama