understate

verb

un·​der·​state ˌən-dər-ˈstāt 

understated; understating; understates

transitive verb

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

Karp worked alongside the European design firm AED Planung on the interiors and overall look, keeping things clean, modern, and understated so the setting could do most of the work. — Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 24 Sep. 2026

As a result, one lead record can understate the number of people involved while overstating the value of a single trackable interaction. — David Steifman, Forbes.com, 24 Sep. 2026

But in a report explaining the expense to taxpayers, the board understated its share of the district’s budget by roughly 100 times. — Nora O'Neill, Charlotte Observer, 23 Sep. 2026

Geography alone, though, understates the league’s binational character. — Rick Burton, Sportico.com, 18 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1824, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for understate

• abdicate
• abrogate
• acetate
• activate
• actuate
• aggravate
• agitate
• alginate
• alienate
• allocate
• amputate
• angulate

Kids 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

understatement

-mənt 

noun