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

Designers underestimated how much water the system would use, Cordle said. —Steve Walsh, NPR, 17 Mar. 2026

Here’s what the experts say went wrong—and what hikers often underestimate about this Mojave Desert landscape. —Owen Clarke, Outside, 16 Mar. 2026

And that seems to really have been underestimated by the United States. —CBS News, 15 Mar. 2026

Its work reflects a growing body of evidence that most AI initiatives fail not because the technology doesn’t work, but because leaders underestimate human, organizational, and ethical misalignment. —Ed Gaskin, Boston Herald, 15 Mar. 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