underestimate

verb

un·​der·​es·​ti·​mate ˌən-dər-ˈe-stə-ˌmāt 

underestimated; underestimating; underestimates

transitive verb

1

: to estimate as being less than the actual size, quantity, or number

2

: to place too low a value on : underrate

underestimate

ˌən-dər-ˈe-stə-mət 

noun

underestimation

ˌən-dər-ˌe-stə-ˈmā-shən 

noun

Synonyms

• minimize
• underrate
• undervalue

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

This is because the process seems easier in theory and planning than in actual practice; individuals underestimate the amount of work, experimentation and repetition necessary to achieve any meaningful outcomes. —Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2025

Public health experts have long warned that UPF, while convenient and inexpensive, carry long-term health risks that are often underestimated. —Emma Marsden, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Aug. 2025

Like with Bochy, a lot of MLB folks underestimated Preller. —Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Aug. 2025

The Trump Administration significantly underestimated the impact these tariffs would have on American consumers. —Devashish Mitra, Time, 28 July 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1792, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for underestimate

• borosilicate
• decontaminate
• deoxycholate
• deteriorate
• differentiate
• diisocyanate
• dinoflagellate
• excommunicate
• incapacitate
• insubordinate
• intercorporate
• interpenetrate

Kids 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

underestimate

-mət 

noun

underestimation

-ˌres-tə-ˈmā-shən 

noun