underestimate

verb

ˌən-dər-ˈe-stə-ˌmāt How to pronounce underestimate (audio)
Definition of underestimatenext
as in to minimize
to place too low a value on we had underestimated her ability to raise the start-up money for her own design firm

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of underestimate Quince Straight-Leg Jeans Don’t underestimate the power of good jeans. — Shea Simmons, PEOPLE, 3 Aug. 2026 Re-Staining and Painting For antique wood pieces, Molnar says never to underestimate the power of a re-stain. — Tessa Cooper, Southern Living, 2 Aug. 2026 Cheeky Lace Never underestimate a classic black-and-white nail set. — Daisy Maldonado, InStyle, 31 July 2026 That could underestimate binge drinking and harm linked to energy drinks, Howland’s team determined. — Ashley Okwuosa, STAT, 30 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for underestimate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for underestimate
  1. minimize
  2. underrate
  3. undervalue
Verb
  • Nailing her intricate double front pass, Blakely performed three front-tumbling passes to minimize wear on her ankles.
    — Caroline Price, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2026
  • Heavy-duty trucking focus The company expects the new service to help fleets lower diesel consumption, reduce operating costs, and minimize driver downtime through on-site fueling.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of minimize
Verb
  • And don’t underrate how perfectly this first film captures something about Spider-Man’s central tragedy.
    — Darren Franich, Entertainment Weekly, 1 Aug. 2026
  • The Wings have a useful window over the next two seasons when Bueckers and Azzi Fudd will both be on rookie contracts that massively underrate their production.
    — Sabreena Merchant, New York Times, 21 July 2026
Definition of underrate
Verb
  • Bank of America initiates SK Hynix as buy The firm says the stock is undervalued.
    — Michael Bloom, CNBC, 4 Aug. 2026
  • According to reports in France and Spain, however, Torres has been convinced to join former La Roja boss Luis Enrique at the Parc des Princes while on the brink of accepting PSG’s proposal due to feeling undervalued by Hansi Flick.
    — Tom Sanderson, Forbes.com, 2 Aug. 2026
Definition of undervalue

Browse Nearby Words

underemployed
underestimate
underestimated
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Underestimate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/underestimate. Accessed 12 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on underestimate

Nglish: Translation of underestimate for Spanish Speakers

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