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

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.

underestimate

ˌən-dər-ˈe-stə-mət 

noun

underestimation

ˌən-dər-ˌe-stə-ˈmā-shən 

noun

Synonyms of underestimate

• 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

Her lawyers argue that the judge wrongly assessed the effect of the posts, underestimated the seriousness of the meanings conveyed and erred in accepting Wilson’s substantial-truth defense. — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 24 July 2026

This distinction has a practical consequence that many first-time consumer buyers underestimate. — Gustaf Lundberg Toresson, Forbes.com, 23 July 2026

Those tallies appear to be underestimating the scale of the problem considerably. — Victor Tangermann, Futurism, 23 July 2026

Rhome, from the National Hurricane Center, cautions that people should not underestimate the potential power of the 2026 storm season just because the El Niño weather pattern is expected to limit the number of storms. — Ava Berger, NPR, 22 July 2026

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