underwhelm

[ uhn-der-hwelm, -welm ]
/ ˌʌn dərˈʰwɛlm, -ˈwɛlm /

verb (used with object) Informal.

to fail to interest or astonish: After all the ballyhoo, most critics were underwhelmed by the movie.

Origin of underwhelm

First recorded in 1945–50; under- + (over)whelm

British Dictionary definitions for underwhelm

underwhelm
/ (ˌʌndəˈwɛlm) /

verb

(tr) to make no positive impact or impression on; disappoint

Word Origin for underwhelm

C20: originally a humorous coinage based on overwhelm