understate

verb

un·​der·​state ˌən-dər-ˈstāt 

understated; understating; understates

transitive verb

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

The Grammy winner kept her look understated while letting her accessories do all the talking. — Karla Rodriguez, Footwear News, 29 Oct. 2026

Seydoux is movingly understated in this difficult film and role, with the camera often lingering on her face in harsh close-up. — ABC News, 28 Oct. 2026

Reporting from Tel Aviv The candidate with the best chance of ousting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Tuesday’s election is understated and, by his own self-deprecating admission, overweight. — Yarden Segev, NBC news, 27 Oct. 2026

The role the 7-1 Tomislav Ivišić could play in his third season in Champaign also shouldn’t be understated. — Colleen Kane, Chicago Tribune, 27 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1824, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for understate

• abdicate
• abrogate
• acetate
• activate
• actuate
• aggravate
• agitate
• alginate
• alienate
• allocate
• amputate
• angulate

Kids 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

understatement

-mənt 

noun