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
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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 19 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
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