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
First, while parents think a lot about their children’s sleep, their kids aren’t getting enough of it; second, parents underestimate how much shut-eye their children need; and third, the family isn’t discussing sleep.
—
Lily Hautau, CNN Money, 5 Mar. 2026
Don't underestimate the weight of the stump.
—Daniel Scott, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 Mar. 2026
Specifically, Hancock and Abbott underestimated Huffines, a grassroots favorite with plenty of cash and who seems to be perpetually on the trail.
—Karen Brooks Harper
austin Bureau, Dallas Morning News, 4 Mar. 2026
Researchers studied hundreds of scientific studies and hazard assessments, calculating that about 90% of them underestimated baseline coastal water heights by an average of 1 foot (30 centimeters), according to Wednesday's study in the journal Nature.
—ABC News, 4 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for underestimate
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Lily Hautau, CNN Money, 5 Mar. 2026
Don't underestimate the weight of the stump.
—Daniel Scott, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 Mar. 2026
Specifically, Hancock and Abbott underestimated Huffines, a grassroots favorite with plenty of cash and who seems to be perpetually on the trail.
—Karen Brooks Harper
austin Bureau, Dallas Morning News, 4 Mar. 2026
Researchers studied hundreds of scientific studies and hazard assessments, calculating that about 90% of them underestimated baseline coastal water heights by an average of 1 foot (30 centimeters), according to Wednesday's study in the journal Nature.
—ABC News, 4 Mar. 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 10 Mar. 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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