underestimate
verb
un·der·es·ti·mate
ˌən-dər-ˈe-stə-ˌmāt 
underestimated; underestimating; underestimates
1
: to estimate as being less than the actual size, quantity, or number
underestimated the cost
2
: to think of as being lower in ability, influence, or value than is accurate : underrate
Her talent has always been underestimated.
Examples of underestimate in a Sentence
The city underestimated the cost of the new building.
The number of people in the crowd was underestimated by 5,000.
Never underestimate the importance of a good education.
Her talent has always been underestimated.
Recent Examples on the Web
As an entrepreneur and university founder and president, I was ignored in the early days, brushed aside and underestimated.
—
Fairchild Studio, Footwear News, 13 Dec. 2025
See, often underestimated, Stein, who started as a wide receiver for the Shamrocks, stayed in his hometown and walked on at the University of Louisville.
—Ray Padilla, Louisville Courier Journal, 12 Dec. 2025
Rolland adds that many audiences still underestimate the scale of Rwanda’s transformation.
—Essie Assibu, Variety, 12 Dec. 2025
However, healing happens between Matthew and his disengaged billionaire father, who admits to underestimating him and not being emotionally available after the death of Matthew’s mom.
—Rachel Handler, Vulture, 9 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for underestimate
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Fairchild Studio, Footwear News, 13 Dec. 2025
See, often underestimated, Stein, who started as a wide receiver for the Shamrocks, stayed in his hometown and walked on at the University of Louisville.
—Ray Padilla, Louisville Courier Journal, 12 Dec. 2025
Rolland adds that many audiences still underestimate the scale of Rwanda’s transformation.
—Essie Assibu, Variety, 12 Dec. 2025
However, healing happens between Matthew and his disengaged billionaire father, who admits to underestimating him and not being emotionally available after the death of Matthew’s mom.
—Rachel Handler, Vulture, 9 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for underestimate
Cite this Entry
“Underestimate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/underestimate. Accessed 14 Dec. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
underestimate
verb
un·der·es·ti·mate
ˌən-də-ˈres-tə-ˌmāt
1
: to estimate as being less than the actual size, quantity, or number
underestimate the cost of a new building
2
: to place too low a value on : underrate
underestimate an opponent
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