understate
verb
un·der·state
ˌən-dər-ˈstāt 
understated; understating; understates
1
: to represent as less than is the case
understate taxable income
2
: to state or present with restraint especially for effect
Examples of understate in a Sentence
He understated his taxable income.
She's trying to understate the issue.
Recent Examples on the Web
Leveraging Local Insights The value of local knowledge in navigating the logistical complexities of the Asia-Pacific cannot be understated.
—
William Mullane, USA TODAY, 13 Apr. 2024
Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi, founder of Banda and husband to Princess Beatrice, has just unveiled the design and development studio’s latest project, a sumptuous and understated London townhouse with a private subterranean swimming pool and custom furnishings.
—Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 10 Apr. 2024
Yet calling it a cash crunch understates the extent to which Trump’s loss in the New York case risks triggering a full-on identity crisis for the ex-President.
—Susan B. Glasser, The New Yorker, 21 Mar. 2024
Everything leans understated, but doesn’t fade into the background.
—Jake Henry Smith, Glamour, 4 Apr. 2024
As such, the importance of maintaining a healthy scalp with textured hair cannot be understated, as the scalp serves as the foundation for any hair goal.
—Essence, 3 Apr. 2024
If you’re disappointed by how discreet these colors are going to be, remember that the current Pro crop is also demurely understated, and the (slightly) brighter colors are kept for the iPhone 15 range.
—David Phelan, Forbes, 29 Mar. 2024
Issey Miyake Turtleneck What started as an attempt to create a work uniform wound up producing a template for quiet luxury, that understated take on everything discreetly upscale.
—The Editors, Robb Report, 28 Mar. 2024
The benefits of a strong community can’t be understated.
—Brianna Kamienski, USA TODAY, 27 Mar. 2024
William Mullane, USA TODAY, 13 Apr. 2024
Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi, founder of Banda and husband to Princess Beatrice, has just unveiled the design and development studio’s latest project, a sumptuous and understated London townhouse with a private subterranean swimming pool and custom furnishings.
—Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 10 Apr. 2024
Yet calling it a cash crunch understates the extent to which Trump’s loss in the New York case risks triggering a full-on identity crisis for the ex-President.
—Susan B. Glasser, The New Yorker, 21 Mar. 2024
Everything leans understated, but doesn’t fade into the background.
—Jake Henry Smith, Glamour, 4 Apr. 2024
As such, the importance of maintaining a healthy scalp with textured hair cannot be understated, as the scalp serves as the foundation for any hair goal.
—Essence, 3 Apr. 2024
If you’re disappointed by how discreet these colors are going to be, remember that the current Pro crop is also demurely understated, and the (slightly) brighter colors are kept for the iPhone 15 range.
—David Phelan, Forbes, 29 Mar. 2024
Issey Miyake Turtleneck What started as an attempt to create a work uniform wound up producing a template for quiet luxury, that understated take on everything discreetly upscale.
—The Editors, Robb Report, 28 Mar. 2024
The benefits of a strong community can’t be understated.
—Brianna Kamienski, USA TODAY, 27 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'understate.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near understate
Cite this Entry
“Understate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/understate. Accessed 23 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
understate
verb
un·der·state
ˌən-dər-ˈstāt
1
: to represent as less than is the case
understate taxable income
2
: to state mildly especially on purpose
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share