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
2
: to place too low a value on : underrate
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
But financial experts told USA TODAY people generally overestimate their earnings and underestimate their spending.
—
Rachel Barber, USA Today, 23 Apr. 2025
Yamazaki Home Adjustable Lid & Pan Organizer $46 Amazon
$47
Yamazaki
$47
Yamazaki
Don’t underestimate the benefit of grabbing the relevant cookware without having to do some sort of kitchen pot-and-pan Jenga.
—Alex Ronan, Architectural Digest, 22 Apr. 2025
Classic Black Mascara Never underestimate the power of a good mascara.
—Celeste Polanco, Essence, 17 Apr. 2025
The humble end table can be a secondary thought when updating your home, but don’t underestimate its importance.
—Shea Simmons, Southern Living, 17 Apr. 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.
Rachel Barber, USA Today, 23 Apr. 2025
Yamazaki Home Adjustable Lid & Pan Organizer $46 Amazon
$47
Yamazaki
$47
Yamazaki
Don’t underestimate the benefit of grabbing the relevant cookware without having to do some sort of kitchen pot-and-pan Jenga.
—Alex Ronan, Architectural Digest, 22 Apr. 2025
Classic Black Mascara Never underestimate the power of a good mascara.
—Celeste Polanco, Essence, 17 Apr. 2025
The humble end table can be a secondary thought when updating your home, but don’t underestimate its importance.
—Shea Simmons, Southern Living, 17 Apr. 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 2 May. 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