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.

"I've been looking into the statistics and, in recent years, white working class boys have been underachieving versus other demographic groups, whether that's in education, employment or poorer health outcomes", Dewhirst said.

From BBC • Mar. 23, 2026

Like Newcastle, Tottenham are another underachieving team who have flirted with major honours in recent years without quite being able to get over the line.

From BBC • May 27, 2025

Oh, and Jo Adell, the Angels’ perennially underachieving outfielder, ranks No. 8, sandwiched between Judge and budding superstar Julio Rodriguez.

From Los Angeles Times • May 13, 2024

The Lakers aren’t going to buy out LeBron James’ contract or trade Anthony Davis, so fans better get used to the team underachieving in the playoffs.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 30, 2024

It was like this dragon’s hoard of worthless brass that not even Smaug’s underachieving brother would want—and with real estate being so expensive in the city, the cost of storing them was probably astronomical.

From "Challenger Deep" by Neal Shusterman