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

Investor Michael Burry went further in November 2025, estimating that big cloud firms were understating AI depreciation by about $176 billion from 2026 through 2028. — Robert J. Szczerba, Forbes.com, 11 Aug. 2026

Another brand, Gestuz, demonstrated that tonal looks don't have to be exclusively minimalist or understated. — Miriam Nehring, Glamour, 7 Aug. 2026

For growing families, there is no understating the importance of the family support system. — John Shumway, CBS News, 6 Aug. 2026

The monochromatic design keeps the look feeling elevated and understated, while the tiny details add just the right amount of charm. — Amanda Le, InStyle, 3 Aug. 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