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
underestimated the cost
2
: to think of as being lower in ability, influence, or value than is accurate : underrate
Her talent has always been underestimated.
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
Wall Street analysts vastly underestimated recent S&P 500 earnings, predicting 12% growth when companies delivered 27%.
—
Brett Owens,
Forbes.com,
5 July 2026
Coach Lionel Scaloni and De Paul warned against underestimating the West African island nation, which finished runner-up in Group H after a 0-0 draw against Spain, 2-2 draw against Uruguay at Hard Rock Stadium, and 0-0 draw against Saudi Arabia.
—
Anthony Chiang,
Miami Herald,
4 July 2026
In those situations, the heat index can underestimate the actual conditions by as much as 20 degrees Fahrenheit, Romps said.
—
Andrew Freedman,
CNN Money,
3 July 2026
The health agency cautioned that its tallies underestimate the true death toll, because they’re based on incomplete data.
—
John Leicester,
Fortune,
3 July 2026
See All Example Sentences for underestimate
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Brett Owens,
Forbes.com,
5 July 2026
Coach Lionel Scaloni and De Paul warned against underestimating the West African island nation, which finished runner-up in Group H after a 0-0 draw against Spain, 2-2 draw against Uruguay at Hard Rock Stadium, and 0-0 draw against Saudi Arabia.
—
Anthony Chiang,
Miami Herald,
4 July 2026
In those situations, the heat index can underestimate the actual conditions by as much as 20 degrees Fahrenheit, Romps said.
—
Andrew Freedman,
CNN Money,
3 July 2026
The health agency cautioned that its tallies underestimate the true death toll, because they’re based on incomplete data.
—
John Leicester,
Fortune,
3 July 2026
See All Example Sentences for underestimate
Cite this Entry
“Underestimate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/underestimate. Accessed 6 Jul. 2026.
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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