underperform
Intermediate (B1)
IPA: /ˌʌndərpərˈfɔːrm/
KK: /ʌndərpərˈfɔrm/
intransitive verb
Definition
To perform at a level that is lower than expected or required.
Example
The team has underperformed this season, finishing at the bottom of the league.
Tense Forms
Past: underperformed
Past Participle: underperformed
Conversation
I heard that our team really underperformed in the last match.
Yeah, it was disappointing to see them play like that.
I wonder what went wrong; they usually do better than that.
Maybe they were just having an off day, but they need to step it up.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
fail
lag
dwindle
Antonyms
excel
thrive
succeed
transitive verb
Definition
To do worse than expected or compared to something else, especially in terms of performance or results.
Example
The company's sales underperformed compared to last year's figures.
Tense Forms
Past: underperformed
Past Participle: underperformed
Conversation
Did you see how that new movie underperformed at the box office?
Yeah, I heard it didn't meet expectations at all.
It's surprising because the trailer looked so good.
Root Explanation
Underperform → It is formed from "under-" (meaning below or beneath) and "perform" (from Latin "performare", meaning to carry out or accomplish). The word "underperform" means to carry out or accomplish something below the expected level or standard.
Memory Tip
Think of doing something 'below' ('under-') what is expected to be 'accomplished' ('perform'). This helps you remember that underperform means not meeting the expected performance.
Visually Confused Words
No commonly confused words.