underestimate

verb

un·​der·​es·​ti·​mate ˌən-dər-ˈe-stə-ˌmāt How to pronounce underestimate (audio)
underestimated; underestimating; underestimates

transitive verb

1
: to estimate as being less than the actual size, quantity, or number
2
: to place too low a value on : underrate
underestimate noun
underestimation noun

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 Analyzing cases of unsupervised melatonin ingestion in young children during emergency department visits also underestimates the frequency of melatonin ingestions by children 5 and under, the researchers said. Amanda Musa, CNN, 7 Mar. 2024 Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse One should not underestimate the power of the Disney/Pixar bloc of voters in the Academy, which will support Elemental, or the international admiration for anime master Hayao Miyazaki, which could boost his probable swan song The Boy and the Heron. David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 6 Mar. 2024 Melissa Keyes, executive director of Indiana Disability Rights, an independent agency, said the state had drastically underestimated the demand and failed to take steps like capping hours that some other states had imposed. Ted Alcorn Kaiti Sullivan, New York Times, 4 Mar. 2024 Don’t underestimate the power of this dynamic — see former Sen. Lamar Alexander’s last-minute push to pass surprise billing protections in his final days as a senator in 2020 as one example. Rachel Cohrs Reprints, STAT, 29 Feb. 2024 Don’t turn a blind eye to the warning signs, and don’t underestimate the potential for damage lurking within your own home. Sponsored Content, The Mercury News, 28 Feb. 2024 Prioritize stability Don’t underestimate the power of stability when choosing smartphone photography accessories. Lauren Breedlove, Travel + Leisure, 23 Feb. 2024 According to a Facebook post from Powell County Search & Rescue, the call was received at 9:28 a.m. after students from Asbury College camped on top of Courthouse Rock in Red River Gorge overnight, underestimating weather conditions. Marina Johnson, The Courier-Journal, 23 Feb. 2024 In multifamily real estate investments, while market volatility and rental demand fluctuations are recognized risks, the importance of evaluating the investment sponsor is often underestimated. Danny Kattan, Forbes, 23 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'underestimate.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1792, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of underestimate was in 1792

Dictionary Entries Near underestimate

Cite this Entry

“Underestimate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/underestimate. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

underestimate

verb
un·​der·​es·​ti·​mate ˌən-də-ˈres-tə-ˌmāt How to pronounce underestimate (audio)
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 noun
underestimation noun

More from Merriam-Webster on underestimate

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