underachieving

ADJECTIVE

lazy

Synonyms

STRONGEST

apathetic careless dull inattentive indifferent lackadaisical lethargic passive sleepy tired weary

WEAK

asleep on the job comatose dallying dilatory drowsy flagging idle indolent inert laggard lagging languid languorous lifeless loafing neglectful out of it procrastinating remiss shiftless slack slothful slow slow-moving snoozy somnolent supine tardy torpid trifling unconcerned unenergetic unindustrious unpersevering unready

Antonyms

STRONGEST

activated active attentive careful caring concerned energetic fresh interested lively vivacious

WEAK

diligent hard-working industrious

ADJECTIVE

failing

Synonyms

STRONG

declining defeated faint scant scanty short shy wanting

WEAK

deficient feeble inadequate insufficient scarce unavailing unprosperous unsuccessful unsufficient unthriving vain

Antonyms

STRONG

adequate enough sufficient

WEAK

OK healthy rebounding strong thriving well

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.

As many England fans would testify, Gareth Southgate took on an England team that was seen as underachieving, and restored a degree of national pride to the game.

From BBC • Dec. 28, 2025

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

And when describing her underachieving brother’s shortcomings, she says, “He’s got the brains of a dung beetle and the ambitions of a French bureaucrat.”

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 6, 2025

But it is a testament to the uneven and underachieving history of the Padres that four people with ties to the team could not agree when “Beat L.A.” became a big deal.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 8, 2024

This hadn’t been one of those underachieving teams whose only hope was a fantastic combination of luck and miracle.

From "Friday Night Lights: A Town, A Team, And A Dream" by H.G. Bissinger