Definition of underestimate
transitive verb
1 : to estimate as being less than the actual size, quantity, or number
2 : to place too low a value on : underrate
From the M-W Editors
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 of underestimate from the Web
-
Being part of a fandom is not something to underestimate.
-
Her power to influence and steer both husband and children shouldn’t be underestimated.
-
Martinique is an interesting team and should not be underestimated.
-
Environmental attorneys, in their appeal of the permits filed last week, said state regulators underestimated these greenhouse-gas emissions.
-
The depth of Michigan’s outdoor legacy is not to be underestimated.
-
The Philadelphia 76ers’ headliner was Markelle Fultz, but don’t underestimate the scope of their haul.
-
Yeah, a lot of people definitely underestimate the power of nutrition and diet in general.
-
But Mackey may have underestimated the flexibility and commitment of Amazon and its own headstrong founder and CEO, Jeff Bezos.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'underestimate.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
First Known Use of underestimate
1792
UNDERESTIMATE Defined for English Language Learners
underestimate
playDefinition of underestimate for English Language Learners
-
: to estimate (something) as being less than the actual size, quantity, or number
-
: to think of (someone or something) as being lower in ability, influence, or value than that person or thing actually is
Learn More about underestimate
-
See words that rhyme with underestimate Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for underestimate Spanish Central: Translation of underestimate Nglish: Translation of underestimate for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of underestimate for Arabic speakers
Seen and Heard
What made you want to look up underestimate? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).
Writing? Check your grammar now!