understatement

noun

un·​der·​state·​ment ˌən-dər-ˈstāt-mənt How to pronounce understatement (audio)
plural understatements
1
: a statement that represents something as smaller or less intense, or less important than it really is : a statement that understates something
To say that I was surprised by this outcome would be an understatement. I was completely blindsided ….Russ Becker
It is an understatement to say that the Internet has made life far more convenient for staggeringly many people.Cass R. Sunstein
also : the act of understating something or the practice of making such statements
understatement of population growth
To say Britain isn't good at coping with snow would be to exercise British understatement. Catherine Mayer
We have been taught to value terseness and understatementIrving Howe
2
: the avoidance of obvious emphasis or embellishment : an understated condition, appearance, etc.
Sure, glamour is still the operative word regarding fashion, but where flamboyance once ruled, there is now understatement and classic elegance.Premiere
He capitalizes on his reputation for understatement by saving huge sonorities for significant occasions; as a result, his rare musical outbursts seem not so much theatrical as visceral, as if they were blows sustained in real time.Alex Ross

Examples of understatement in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web To say it’s been an exciting, whirlwind year for the filmmaker, whose resume includes making short films at Google Creative Lab, would be an understatement. Randy Myers, The Mercury News, 7 Mar. 2024 Best Overall Deals To say that Amazon is kicking off March by spoiling us with a plethora of jaw-dropping deals would be an understatement. Alexandra Domrongchai, Travel + Leisure, 2 Mar. 2024 To say that Maxx Appelman learned that the hard way is an understatement. Celia Shatzman, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2024 To say that the four-year process of creating ten satin-matte and ultra-matte formulas in idiosyncratic hues that represent the colors of India was extensive would be an understatement. Sonakshi Sharma, Vogue, 28 Feb. 2024 Chris Klimek: To say that Cynthia Greenlee has always been interested in history would be an understatement. Chris Klimek, Smithsonian Magazine, 22 Feb. 2024 To say the digital age has changed dating would be an understatement. USA TODAY, 10 Feb. 2024 Other such schemes could involve revenue recognition, the overstatement of assets or understatement of liabilities, and fraudulent disclosures. Jonny Frank, Forbes, 16 Feb. 2024 To say that Halley was Newton’s superfan would be an understatement. Paul M. Sutter, Scientific American, 15 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'understatement.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1799, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of understatement was in 1799

Dictionary Entries Near understatement

Cite this Entry

“Understatement.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/understatement. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

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