underwhelm
verb (used with object)
to fail to interest or astonish.
has been underwhelming
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present perfect progressiveof underwhelm (3rd person singular).present perfect progressive
Used to describe an action that began in the past, has continued continuously, and is still in progress.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
But their Cup of Nations record down the years has been underwhelming.
From Barron's ● Jan. 11, 2026
The government's investment in fresh water supplies has been underwhelming, and here critics point to the disparities in wealth between those who can afford to sink boreholes in their backyards and those who cannot.
From BBC ● Oct. 31, 2023
Oregon’s defensive production has been underwhelming through three games under Lanning, who coordinated Georgia’s powerhouse defense during the team’s 2021 national-championship season.
From Seattle Times ● Sep. 23, 2022
But booster uptake so far has been underwhelming.
From Washington Post ● Sep. 3, 2022
And critics say the effort to create safer streets through engineering, enforcement, education, evaluation and community engagement has been underwhelming.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 6, 2022
