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Definition of underwhelmingly

underwhelmingly

/ˌʌndərˈwɛlmɪŋli/
un · der · whelm · ing · ly
Adjective:underwhelming
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underwhelmingly Lexical Profile

underwhelmingly Game Scores & Validity

• adverb

1

In a manner that fails to impress, excite, or meet expectations; disappointingly.

Example

"The highly anticipated sequel performed underwhelmingly at the box office during its opening weekend."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for underwhelmingly
Antonyms
View all antonyms for underwhelmingly

• Rhymes for underwhelmingly

• Nearby Words

underweight
underwhelm
underwhelming
underwhelmingly
underwire
underwired
underwiring

Word Origin & Etymology

Formed in the mid-20th century by adding the adverbial suffix '-ly' to 'underwhelming', a humorous jocular blend substituting 'under-' for 'over-' in 'overwhelming'.

Usage Trend

Historical frequency of usage in published text.

180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Underwhelmingly. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/underwhelmingly
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