underachieve

American  

[uhn-der-uh-cheev] / ˌʌn dər əˈtʃiv /

verb (used without object)

underachieved, underachieving

1. to perform, especially academically, below the potential indicated by tests of one's mental ability or aptitude.

2. to perform below expectations or achieve less than expected, especially by others.

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underachieve British  

/ ˌundərəˈtʃiːv /

verb

1. (intr) to fail to achieve a performance appropriate to one's age or talents

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Other Word Forms

• underachievement noun
• underachiever noun

Etymology

Origin of underachieve

First recorded in 1950–55; under- + achieve

Example Sentences

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

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

K-State is more likely to overachieve this season and finish in the top 10 than underachieve and wind up unranked.

From Washington Times • Aug. 22, 2017

Despite huge investments in the nation’s professional men’s league and support for the sport that borders on fanatical, China continues to underachieve on the international stage.

From Slate • Dec. 12, 2014