underestimate

verb

un·​der·​es·​ti·​mate ˌən-dər-ˈe-stə-ˌmāt How to pronounce underestimate (audio)
underestimated; underestimating; underestimates

transitive verb

1
: to estimate as being less than the actual size, quantity, or number
2
: to place too low a value on : underrate
underestimate noun
underestimation noun

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
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.
The footwork to shuffle across is not to be underestimated. Mark Carey, New York Times, 6 July 2025 With many Texans traveling or vacationing over the Fourth of July weekend, officials are especially concerned about people underestimating the risks near waterways. Gabe Whisnant, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 July 2025 Health care and Medicare planning Health care costs in retirement are often underestimated. Justin Kittle, Kansas City Star, 2 July 2025 In a recent Foreign Affairs essay, former U.S. officials Kurt Campbell and Rush Doshi warned against underestimating China and its industrial capacity. Damien Ma, Foreign Affairs, 1 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for underestimate

Word History

First Known Use

1792, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of underestimate was in 1792

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Underestimate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/underestimate. Accessed 11 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

underestimate

verb
un·​der·​es·​ti·​mate ˌən-də-ˈres-tə-ˌmāt How to pronounce underestimate (audio)
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
underestimate noun
underestimation noun

More from Merriam-Webster on underestimate

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