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
Although Kyiv does not disclose its own combat losses in any detail and Moscow is believed to drastically underestimate its own casualties, the CSIS figures are in line with British and United States intelligence assessments.
—
Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 12 Sep. 2025
The new analysis was prompted by a city audit late last year that found officials have been underestimating San Diego’s infrastructure funding shortfall by about $1 billion by ignoring hundreds of minor maintenance needs.
—David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Sep. 2025
Beyond that, consumers often underestimate their broader cost-of-living expenses, which can lead to financial strain.
—Hugh Cameron, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Sep. 2025
If scientists have been underestimating the energy stored in flare ions, forecasts of space weather may need to be revised.
—Sharmila Kuthunur, Space.com, 11 Sep. 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.
Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 12 Sep. 2025
The new analysis was prompted by a city audit late last year that found officials have been underestimating San Diego’s infrastructure funding shortfall by about $1 billion by ignoring hundreds of minor maintenance needs.
—David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Sep. 2025
Beyond that, consumers often underestimate their broader cost-of-living expenses, which can lead to financial strain.
—Hugh Cameron, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Sep. 2025
If scientists have been underestimating the energy stored in flare ions, forecasts of space weather may need to be revised.
—Sharmila Kuthunur, Space.com, 11 Sep. 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 15 Sep. 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