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
The risks should not be understated.
—
Hassan Hassan, Time, 11 Oct. 2025
Every piece—from the theatrical to the understated, from statement makers to little touches—is seen as a portal into Jacobs’s world.
—Erin Cunningham, Vogue, 8 Oct. 2025
Running from lane six, one inside Jackson, Jefferson-Wooden’s behaviour at the starting blocks was understated.
—Liam Tharme, New York Times, 8 Oct. 2025
It can’t be understated how much of a head start Google has in AI.
—Reed Albergotti, semafor.com, 8 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for understate
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.
Hassan Hassan, Time, 11 Oct. 2025
Every piece—from the theatrical to the understated, from statement makers to little touches—is seen as a portal into Jacobs’s world.
—Erin Cunningham, Vogue, 8 Oct. 2025
Running from lane six, one inside Jackson, Jefferson-Wooden’s behaviour at the starting blocks was understated.
—Liam Tharme, New York Times, 8 Oct. 2025
It can’t be understated how much of a head start Google has in AI.
—Reed Albergotti, semafor.com, 8 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for understate
Cite this Entry
“Understate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/understate. Accessed 14 Oct. 2025.
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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share