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

Example sentences from the Web for underwhelming

British Dictionary definitions for underwhelming (1 of 2)

underwhelming
/ (ˌʌndəˈwɛlmɪŋ) /

adjective

failing to make a positive impact or impression; disappointing

British Dictionary definitions for underwhelming (2 of 2)

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