underwhelming

British  

/ ˌʌndəˈwɛlmɪŋ /

adjective

1. failing to make a positive impact or impression; disappointing

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Explanation

Something that's underwhelming doesn't live up to your expectations. If your favorite soccer team doesn't play very well this year, you might say they're having an underwhelming season. An underwhelming grade on your math test is a big disappointment, and an underwhelming movie by your favorite director isn't nearly as good as her last one. Anything underwhelming is a big letdown or major disappointment. Underwhelming and underwhelm are much more recent additions to the English language than the 14th-century overwhelm, on which they were modeled. Originally used in the 1800s, underwhelming was a humorous slang term well into the 20th century.

Example Sentences

Underwhelming returners: Washington’s competition at returner is wide open, and Saturday did little to move the needle for those looking to seize the job.

From Washington Times • Aug. 13, 2022

Underwhelming perhaps game to game, with just three going to overtime through Monday and just two others decided by one goal at the final horn of the third period.

From Seattle Times • May 10, 2022

Underwhelming in his time with Cincinnati, DeSclafani, 31, had a 3.17 E.R.A. in 167 ⅔ innings for the Giants and kept runners off base to the tune of a 1.091 WHIP.

From New York Times • Nov. 17, 2021

Underwhelming figures from Asian factories and overnight losses on Wall Street dented the global mood as investors awaited a report that is expected to show euro zone inflation surged to a 13-year high.

From Reuters • Oct. 1, 2021

Underwhelming under Maurizio Sarri, notable largely for predictable substitutions involving Ross Barkley, the Croat has become a high-energy, high-class playmaker for Lampard.

From The Guardian • Jan. 27, 2020