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
Retailers invest heavily in front-end capabilities while underestimating the complexity of data governance, quality and interoperability.
—
Gary Drenik, Forbes.com, 20 Jan. 2026
Mercer's research shows that 62% of employees feel leaders underestimate AI's emotional and psychological impact.
—Sawdah Bhaimiya, CNBC, 20 Jan. 2026
Everyone underestimated me, except me and my family.
—Emily Kelleher, InStyle, 20 Jan. 2026
The finding adds a new species to the growing list of creatures that have been found to use external objects to achieve a goal and suggests that society has been underestimating the minds of farm animals.
—Kate Wong, Scientific American, 19 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for underestimate
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Gary Drenik, Forbes.com, 20 Jan. 2026
Mercer's research shows that 62% of employees feel leaders underestimate AI's emotional and psychological impact.
—Sawdah Bhaimiya, CNBC, 20 Jan. 2026
Everyone underestimated me, except me and my family.
—Emily Kelleher, InStyle, 20 Jan. 2026
The finding adds a new species to the growing list of creatures that have been found to use external objects to achieve a goal and suggests that society has been underestimating the minds of farm animals.
—Kate Wong, Scientific American, 19 Jan. 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 28 Jan. 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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