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.

Seahawks 51, Lions 29: Underachieving Seattle supplied the 12s with a few cheers in what may have been the final game there for both quarterback Russell Wilson and Coach Pete Carroll.

From New York Times • Jan. 2, 2022

Underachieving, again, with a losing record, USC basketball misses out on the NCAA, NIT, CBI and CIT.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 22, 2019

“What did those children and their families get in return for it? Underachieving schools that do not prepare them for the jobs of the future or the careers and college life of the future.”

From Slate • Jun. 24, 2016

Bok has just published a book titled Our Underachieving Colleges, which follows a similarly downbeat book in 2003.

From Time Magazine Archive