underestimate
verb
un·der·es·ti·mate
ˌən-dər-ˈe-stə-ˌmāt 
underestimated; underestimating; underestimates
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.
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
In this interview with Interesting Engineering (IE), Planing explains why engineering excellence alone rarely guarantees acceptance, and what technologists consistently underestimate about human behavior.
—
Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 25 Dec. 2025
Never underestimate the power of courtesy.
—Georgia Nicols, Denver Post, 24 Dec. 2025
Don’t underestimate the power surrounding the new moon phase, let alone a new moon in your sign.
—Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 21 Dec. 2025
After being ostracized and underestimated by the aliens for so long, Spider is finally welcomed into the Na’vi family, and the movie abruptly cuts to black.
—Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 20 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for underestimate
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 25 Dec. 2025
Never underestimate the power of courtesy.
—Georgia Nicols, Denver Post, 24 Dec. 2025
Don’t underestimate the power surrounding the new moon phase, let alone a new moon in your sign.
—Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 21 Dec. 2025
After being ostracized and underestimated by the aliens for so long, Spider is finally welcomed into the Na’vi family, and the movie abruptly cuts to black.
—Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 20 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for underestimate
Cite this Entry
“Underestimate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/underestimate. Accessed 29 Dec. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share