understatement
noun
un·der·state·ment
ˌən-dər-ˈstāt-mənt 
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
Russ BeckerIt is an understatement to say that the Internet has made life far more convenient for staggeringly many people.—Cass R. Sunstein
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
Catherine Mayer We have been taught to value terseness and understatement … —Irving Howe
Irving 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
PremiereHe 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
Alex RossExamples of understatement in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
To say that the 2026 Leaf is the most important EV launch for Nissan since the original car would be an understatement.
—Chad Kirchner, ArsTechnica, 17 June 2025
Monster is not an understatement for the character who has racked up the highest onscreen kill-count in the show.
—Mekishana Pierre Published, EW.com, 28 May 2025
The understatement suited his voice, which now demands that Simon play in intimate halls.
—Bob Gendron, Chicago Tribune, 22 May 2025
To say that there’s a lot going on in AI is something of an understatement.
—John Werner, Forbes.com, 4 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for understatement
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Chad Kirchner, ArsTechnica, 17 June 2025
Monster is not an understatement for the character who has racked up the highest onscreen kill-count in the show.
—Mekishana Pierre Published, EW.com, 28 May 2025
The understatement suited his voice, which now demands that Simon play in intimate halls.
—Bob Gendron, Chicago Tribune, 22 May 2025
To say that there’s a lot going on in AI is something of an understatement.
—John Werner, Forbes.com, 4 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for understatement
Cite this Entry
“Understatement.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/understatement. Accessed 25 Jun. 2025.
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