understate
verb
un·der·state
ˌən-dər-ˈstāt 
understated; understating; understates
1
: to represent as less than is the case
understate taxable income
2
: to state or present with restraint especially for effect
Examples of understate in a Sentence
He understated his taxable income.
She's trying to understate the issue.
Recent Examples on the Web
Advertisement The cultural impact of a long-running show in the days when three networks owned the air, producing some two dozen episodes a year, cannot be understated.
—
Robert Lloyd, Los Angeles Times, 19 July 2024
So Biden right now is in a similar position to where Trump was on Election Day 2016: trailing but a potential victor if the polls are slightly understating his support in states with similar demographic and electoral histories.
—Perry Bacon Jr., Washington Post, 17 July 2024
Except for the Crash, almost every other Cartier watch up to that point had been timeless, elegant, refined, balanced and understated.
—Allen Farmelo, Robb Report, 9 July 2024
The dress code is as understated as a white linen button-up.
—Lilah Ramzi, Vogue, 9 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for understate 
Robert Lloyd, Los Angeles Times, 19 July 2024
So Biden right now is in a similar position to where Trump was on Election Day 2016: trailing but a potential victor if the polls are slightly understating his support in states with similar demographic and electoral histories.
—Perry Bacon Jr., Washington Post, 17 July 2024
Except for the Crash, almost every other Cartier watch up to that point had been timeless, elegant, refined, balanced and understated.
—Allen Farmelo, Robb Report, 9 July 2024
The dress code is as understated as a white linen button-up.
—Lilah Ramzi, Vogue, 9 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for understate
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'understate.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near understate
Cite this Entry
“Understate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/understate. Accessed 27 Jul. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
understate
verb
un·der·state
ˌən-dər-ˈstāt
1
: to represent as less than is the case
understate taxable income
2
: to state mildly especially on purpose
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