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
2
: to place too low a value on : underrate
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
But for this chemical process to occur, certain conditions must be met that should not be underestimated: The vegetable must be paired with fat and the carrots should be cooked.
—
Irene Coltrinari, Vogue, 12 June 2025
Why Listening Beats Predicting Many organizations underestimate the power of simply listening to what customers are saying and doing right now.
—Ali Behnam, Forbes.com, 12 June 2025
From the day she was born, Woodward was underestimated, says her mom, Darcy.
—Eileen Finan, People.com, 12 June 2025
Maddison, Vicario, and Cristian Romero were some of Postecoglou’s strongest supporters in the squad, and their influence over the rest of the group shouldn’t be underestimated.
—Elias Burke, New York Times, 10 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for underestimate
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Irene Coltrinari, Vogue, 12 June 2025
Why Listening Beats Predicting Many organizations underestimate the power of simply listening to what customers are saying and doing right now.
—Ali Behnam, Forbes.com, 12 June 2025
From the day she was born, Woodward was underestimated, says her mom, Darcy.
—Eileen Finan, People.com, 12 June 2025
Maddison, Vicario, and Cristian Romero were some of Postecoglou’s strongest supporters in the squad, and their influence over the rest of the group shouldn’t be underestimated.
—Elias Burke, New York Times, 10 June 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 15 Jun. 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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