undersell

[ uhn-der-sel ]

verb (used with object)

, un·der·sold, un·der·sell·ing.

1. to sell more cheaply than.
2. to advertise with restraint; understate the merits of (something):

   By underselling his product, he let his hearers convince themselves of its importance.

3. to sell for less than the actual value.

undersell

/ ˌʌndəˈsɛl /

verb

1. to sell for less than the usual or expected price
2. tr to sell at a price lower than that of (another seller)
3. tr to advertise (merchandise) with moderation or restraint

Derived Forms

• ˌunderˈseller, noun

Other Words From

• under·seller noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of undersell¹

First recorded in 1615–25; under- + sell ¹

Example Sentences

Still, let’s not undersell the value of the garage as the biggest storage closet ever.

From Outside Online

We sometimes describe the Lite forecast as being “polls only,” although as I’ll explain in a moment, that undersells it to some degree.

From FiveThirtyEight

For months, some experts have lamented that the vaccines were being undersold.

From Vox

The phone design revolves around the camera bump—it feels like underselling it to just call it a "camera bump"—smack in the middle of the phone body.

From Ars Technica

They also tend to dramatically undersell immune protection against illness, which has many overlapping mechanisms.

From MIT Technology Review

In that case, some would still undersell others; and the old troubles would still be experienced.

From Project Gutenberg

We calculated that we could undersell the regular dealers and that profits would accrue.

From Project Gutenberg

In short, they beat, undersell, and displace the small cowkeepers wherever the large dairy is moderately well managed.

From Project Gutenberg

They spoil our business right along, because they get their stuff for nothing, and then undersell us.

From Project Gutenberg

And if they pass an Act to prevent my marrying, then will I bury for nothing and undersell them still.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• deduct
• diminish
• knock off
• mark down
• modify