Underoptimize

Part of speech: verb

Definitions

1. To adjust or configure something so that it is less than fully optimized or efficient
2. The act of implementing a solution or setting that falls short of maximum optimization
3. To deliberately or accidentally reduce the thoroughness of optimization, resulting in subpar performance

Etymology: "Underoptimize" is a plain formation: the prefix "under-", meaning insufficiently or below the proper degree, attached to "optimize". "Optimize" itself comes from the Latin "optimus", "best", and entered English in the 19th century, while "under-" is an old English prefix that has long been used to form verbs meaning to do something too little or not enough, such as "undercook" or "underestimate". The result is a verb meaning to configure something less efficiently than it could be, so that a system, process, or setup falls short of its best possible performance. It is a modern coinage, built on a pattern English speakers use freely whenever they need to express a shortfall rather than an excess.

Synonyms: undermine efficiency, suboptimize, underperform, neglect optimization, inadequately optimize

Antonyms: optimize, maximize, enhance, improve, perfect