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
Albert Erskine, the company’s president, underestimated the impact of those economic times, continuing to pay out dividends without significant profits.
—
David Krumboltz, The Mercury News, 14 Apr. 2024
Joseph agreed his study’s method likely does underestimate maternal death rates.
—Robin Fields, ProPublica, 5 Apr. 2024
And many of us gravely underestimate how long our retirement is likely to last.
—Daniel De Visé, USA TODAY, 31 Mar. 2024
Speaking to reporters Tuesday, Machado questioned the legitimacy of an election where Maduro got to pick his own rivals, but said the regime is underestimating the will of the Venezuelan people to enact political change.
—Antonio Maria Delgado, Miami Herald, 26 Mar. 2024
Most of us underestimated just how dedicated the Reddit crew was to not just the stock but the David-vs-Goliath narrative that surrounded it.
—Allison Morrow, CNN, 2 Apr. 2024
But this dismissive view of the country underestimates the resilience of its economy.
—Nicholas R. Lardy, Foreign Affairs, 2 Apr. 2024
For this to work, leaders must never underestimate the value of a strong culture.
—Scott Andrew, Forbes, 29 Mar. 2024
Many of the recent economic forecasts underestimated the economic boost people moving to America would bring to the economy, according to JPMorgan head of global head Joyce Chang.
—Paolo Confino, Fortune, 22 Mar. 2024
David Krumboltz, The Mercury News, 14 Apr. 2024
Joseph agreed his study’s method likely does underestimate maternal death rates.
—Robin Fields, ProPublica, 5 Apr. 2024
And many of us gravely underestimate how long our retirement is likely to last.
—Daniel De Visé, USA TODAY, 31 Mar. 2024
Speaking to reporters Tuesday, Machado questioned the legitimacy of an election where Maduro got to pick his own rivals, but said the regime is underestimating the will of the Venezuelan people to enact political change.
—Antonio Maria Delgado, Miami Herald, 26 Mar. 2024
Most of us underestimated just how dedicated the Reddit crew was to not just the stock but the David-vs-Goliath narrative that surrounded it.
—Allison Morrow, CNN, 2 Apr. 2024
But this dismissive view of the country underestimates the resilience of its economy.
—Nicholas R. Lardy, Foreign Affairs, 2 Apr. 2024
For this to work, leaders must never underestimate the value of a strong culture.
—Scott Andrew, Forbes, 29 Mar. 2024
Many of the recent economic forecasts underestimated the economic boost people moving to America would bring to the economy, according to JPMorgan head of global head Joyce Chang.
—Paolo Confino, Fortune, 22 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'underestimate.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Articles Related to underestimate
Dictionary Entries Near underestimate
Cite this Entry
“Underestimate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/underestimate. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.
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