undersell

verb

un·​der·​sell ˌən-dər-ˈsel 

undersold ˌən-dər-ˈsōld  ; underselling

transitive verb

1

: to sell articles cheaper than

undersell a competitor

we will not be undersold

2

: to sell cheaper than

imported cars that undersell domestic ones

3

: to present or speak of (something or someone) as having a lower value or less importance than is actual or deserved : underrate

advising job applicants not to undersell themselves

Don't undersell the qualities of a worthy trail horse …

—Lucie Stigler

Dylan's musicianship is often undersold by critics …

—Amanda Petrusich

Examples of undersell in a Sentence

They promised to undersell their competitors.

We will not be undersold.

imported cars that undersell domestic models

Recent Examples on the Web

This undersells the singular malignance of her outbursts, which drove away Black and white allies alike. —Moira Donegan, New Yorker, 13 Mar. 2026

Yet focusing only on the sequence of deals that yielded Young would undersell Poole’s impact. —Josh Robbins, New York Times, 9 Mar. 2026

Off the bat, calling this a moisturizer is really underselling it. —Tamim Alnuweiri, InStyle, 3 Mar. 2026

McKinney thinks that undersells it. —Andy Greder, Twin Cities, 17 Feb. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1613, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for undersell

• bagatelle
• caravel
• carousel
• carrousel
• citadel
• clientele
• commonweal
• decibel
• demoiselle
• fontanelle
• infidel
• isabel

Kids Definition

undersell

verb

un·​der·​sell ˌən-dər-ˈsel 

undersold -ˈsōld  ; underselling

: to sell articles cheaper than

undersell a competitor