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

For this reason, studies that measure whether a kid has access to any platform, whether an underage user is using an account or not, will greatly underestimate the law’s effects. — Ravi Iyer, Time, 18 July 2026

The problem is not that any single measure has collapsed, but that the entire framework has begun to reveal internal contradictions its designers underestimated. — Wesley Alexander Hill, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026

Valerian both underestimated the enemy and overestimated Roman military strength. — Robin Wright, New Yorker, 17 July 2026

The most powerful solar storms to strike Earth may pack a bigger punch than scientists realized, according to a new study that suggests the impacts of extreme space weather have been underestimated. — Samantha Mathewson, Space.com, 17 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