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
Team chemistry cannot be understated.
—
Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
These revisions often reveal that job growth was either overstated or understated in real time.
—Gabe Whisnant, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Sep. 2025
As the Dolphins begin to shift focus to Week 2, the importance of levelheadedness cannot be understated.
—Miami Herald, 8 Sep. 2025
For many involved in sports’ biggest occasions, the value in a haircut and finding the right person to do it clearly cannot be understated.
—Thomas Schlachter, CNN Money, 8 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for understate
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Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
These revisions often reveal that job growth was either overstated or understated in real time.
—Gabe Whisnant, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Sep. 2025
As the Dolphins begin to shift focus to Week 2, the importance of levelheadedness cannot be understated.
—Miami Herald, 8 Sep. 2025
For many involved in sports’ biggest occasions, the value in a haircut and finding the right person to do it clearly cannot be understated.
—Thomas Schlachter, CNN Money, 8 Sep. 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 16 Sep. 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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