understate

[ uhn-der-steyt ]

verb (used with object)

, un·der·stat·ed, un·der·stat·ing.

1. to state or represent less strongly or strikingly than the facts would bear out; set forth in restrained, moderate, or weak terms:

   The casualty lists understate the extent of the disaster.

understate

/ ˌʌndəˈsteɪt /

verb

1. to state (something) in restrained terms, often to obtain an ironic effect
2. to state that (something, such as a number) is less than it is

Other Words From

• un·der·state·ment [uhn-der-, steyt, -m, uh, nt, uhn, -der-steyt-], noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of understate¹

First recorded in 1815–25; under- + state

Example Sentences

It’s hard to understate the buzz around Clubhouse, the social media startup that reached a reported $100 million valuation when it had just 1,500 users.

From Fortune

“You can’t understate that experience as a player,” he said.

From Washington Post

Averaging the dates of multiple layers provides a reasonable, possibly understated minimum age estimate for the underlying art, the researchers contend.

From Science News

For instance, investigators understated Azevedo’s qualifications.

From ProPublica

As we head into 2021, the importance of SEO as part of a comprehensive marketing strategy cannot be understated.

From Search Engine Watch

I don't want to understate either, however; these are the major chronic diseases we should be expecting Medicaid to help.

From The Daily Beast

To say she was disturbed by the results would be to understate her reaction.

From The Daily Beast

On Klaidman's telling ... wow, did those conservatives understate the case.

From The Daily Beast

Yet such tempered remarks may understate the significance of the challenge awaiting Krueger.

From The Daily Beast

I do not understate the complexity and sensitivity of achieving such a global agreement.

From The Daily Beast

Jimmy yelled with joy, and thanked the printer for his intelligent misreading of understate. '

From Project Gutenberg

We may be sure, too, that her informant did not understate the personal disadvantages of Sir Abraham Lumley.

From Project Gutenberg

The Professor did not understate the case when he had intimated that he was somewhat out of practice at equestrian exercises.

From Project Gutenberg

But whilst he certainly did not understate the income, there is reason for thinking he greatly exaggerated it.

From Project Gutenberg

On the contrary, there were considerations that would dispose him to understate his income to those correspondents.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• downplay
• lessen
• minimize
• underrate
• undervalue