understatement

[ uhn-der-steyt-muhnt, uhn-der-steyt- ]

noun

1. the act or an instance of understating, or representing in a weak or restrained way that is not borne out by the facts:

   The journalist wrote that the earthquake had caused some damage. This turned out to be a massive understatement of the devastation.

understatement

1. A form of irony in which something is intentionally represented as less than it is: “Hank Aaron was a pretty good ball player.”

Word History and Origins

Origin of understatement¹

under- + statement

Example Sentences

Admitting that to say it was controversial was an "understatement", she said there had been a significant reduction in accidents.

From BBC

Much of this was led by sorority and fraternity members of the Divine Nine, and to call the Divine Nine “organized” is an understatement.

From Slate

To say Reilly's character has been put through the wringer would be an understatement.

From BBC

To say that jazz saxophonist Kamasi Washington is a fan of Los Angeles is an understatement.

From Los Angeles Times

Now, in 2024, saying the stakes are considerably higher than they were eight years ago feels like a gross understatement.

From Salon