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underperformance

American  
[uhn-der-per-fawr-muhns] / ˌʌn dər pərˈfɔr məns /

noun

  1. the act or instance of doing less well than expected.

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.

“Magnificent Seven” tech stocks are finally riding high once again in April after a months-long bout of underperformance.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 22, 2026

The “Magnificent Seven” tech stocks are finally riding high once again in April after a months-long bout of underperformance.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 22, 2026

But in April, the larger-bank index has narrowed its underperformance.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 20, 2026

However, many advisers don’t advocate using one as your primary investment vehicle due to its complexity, fees and the risk of underperformance.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 14, 2026

The software slump began in earnest at the start of the year, when months of underperformance culminated in a sweeping selloff.

From Barron's • Apr. 10, 2026

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.