underachieve
Americanverb (used without object)
-
to perform, especially academically, below the potential indicated by tests of one's mental ability or aptitude.
-
to perform below expectations or achieve less than expected, especially by others.
verb
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of underachieve
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.
See Examples For:
There has been particular concern that Protestant males from low-income backgrounds underachieve at school.
From BBC ● Oct. 17, 2024
The Seattle fatalism says every Mariners prospect is doomed to underachieve, or flame out.
From Seattle Times ● Apr. 5, 2022
Schiano’s Ohio State defenses went on to underachieve by the standards of their immense talent advantage.
From Slate ● May 12, 2021
The Browns have six Pro Bowl players on offense and four on defense, and with Kevin Stefanski as coach, they won’t underachieve like they did last year.
From Washington Post ● Sep. 9, 2020
The days of watching the Bruins underachieve are likely dwindling with Chip Kelly now at UCLA.
From Washington Times ● Dec. 13, 2017
England have underachieved in global tournaments since 2017 and will start this one no better than third favourites behind Australia and India.
From BBC ● Apr. 28, 2026
But when Callie-Rose informs Dusty that Ruby said he underachieved in school, we believe her.
From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 21, 2025
The loss dropped the Chargers to 5-8 and likely ended whatever limited playoff chances remained for a team that has vastly underachieved this season, leading to wide-spread speculation of sweeping changes in the coming months.
From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 10, 2023
Defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio has overseen a unit that has underachieved this year, making him a poor fit for the role of interim coach.
From Washington Times ● Nov. 20, 2023
With expectations raised from their success in 2022, the Mariners underachieved.
From Seattle Times ● Nov. 5, 2023
Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim says criticism from legendary former players is to be expected because the club is "underachieving".
From BBC ● Dec. 14, 2025
Some of the underachieving Rockies players don’t blame Black, whose even-keel temperament, attention to detail and empathetic communication skills made him a respected leader.
From Los Angeles Times ● May 12, 2025
Until January though he has to get a tune out of an underachieving, underperforming squad and work out his priorities for that next transfer window.
From BBC ● Nov. 28, 2024
The Angels made the first trade of the offseason Thursday, acquiring slugger Jorge Soler for underachieving starting pitcher Griffin Canning.
From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 1, 2024
As if Ethan—world’s most underachieving online creeper—had anything to do with this breakthrough.
From "What If It's Us" by Becky Albertalli and Adam Silvera
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
