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
Her popularity among voters is not to be underestimated.
—
Marcus Jones, IndieWire, 15 Apr. 2026
As a result, escalating warning signs were underestimated, and opportunities to intervene were missed.
—Inaya Folarin Iman, CBS News, 13 Apr. 2026
Unintentionally Oversizing People tend to underestimate a plant’s ultimate size.
—Erica Browne Grivas, Better Homes & Gardens, 13 Apr. 2026
People consistently underestimate how interesting and enjoyable these conversations will be, said Elizabeth Trinh, the study’s lead author and a doctoral student in management and organization at the University of Michigan’s Ross School of Business.
—Barbara Mantel, NBC news, 13 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for underestimate
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Marcus Jones, IndieWire, 15 Apr. 2026
As a result, escalating warning signs were underestimated, and opportunities to intervene were missed.
—Inaya Folarin Iman, CBS News, 13 Apr. 2026
Unintentionally Oversizing People tend to underestimate a plant’s ultimate size.
—Erica Browne Grivas, Better Homes & Gardens, 13 Apr. 2026
People consistently underestimate how interesting and enjoyable these conversations will be, said Elizabeth Trinh, the study’s lead author and a doctoral student in management and organization at the University of Michigan’s Ross School of Business.
—Barbara Mantel, NBC news, 13 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for underestimate
Cite this Entry
“Underestimate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/underestimate. Accessed 18 Apr. 2026.
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
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