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
So far, Democratic protests to TrumpRx have been understated.
—
Jeremy Lott, The Washington Examiner, 13 Mar. 2026
To say this happened fast is understating it.
—Mark Minevich, Fortune, 12 Mar. 2026
Popular ideas of killer robots and drone swarms tend to overstate the autonomy of AI systems and understate the role of human beings.
—Jon R. Lindsay, The Conversation, 11 Mar. 2026
And then there’s La Valise, intimate, romantic, and deliberately understated.
—Gina Góngora, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for understate
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Jeremy Lott, The Washington Examiner, 13 Mar. 2026
To say this happened fast is understating it.
—Mark Minevich, Fortune, 12 Mar. 2026
Popular ideas of killer robots and drone swarms tend to overstate the autonomy of AI systems and understate the role of human beings.
—Jon R. Lindsay, The Conversation, 11 Mar. 2026
And then there’s La Valise, intimate, romantic, and deliberately understated.
—Gina Góngora, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 Mar. 2026
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 Mar. 2026.
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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