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 His analytical awareness has been underestimated for a while, thanks to his signature style. — New York Times, 8 Oct. 2026 Those who believed radical change was inevitable after 2008 underestimated two factors. — Via Haymarket Books, Literary Hub, 7 Oct. 2026 Back then, investors underestimated the power and determination of the Federal Reserve to prop up a flagging economy. — Liz Hoffman, semafor.com, 7 Oct. 2026 And because polls have underestimated Republican support in the past. — Nathan Gonzales Cq-Roll Call, Arkansas Online, 6 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for underestimate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for underestimate
  1. minimize
  2. underrate
  3. undervalue
Verb
  • The Bonding Shampoo gently cleanses hair and scalp, while the Hair Bonding Treatment delivers a more intensive dose of the brand’s Peptide-132 complex to help strengthen damaged strands and minimize breakage and split ends.
    — Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 7 Oct. 2026
  • Federal wildlife managers euthanized 28,000 animals in California in 2025 and dispersed about 1 million more as part of a nationwide program meant to control invasive species and minimize danger to people, pets and livestock, new data shows.
    — Sharon Bernstein, Sacbee.com, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of minimize
Verb
  • The thing people always underrate about the 2000s is how many of us were not going to the movies to feel good.
    — Darren Franich, HollywoodReporter, 11 Sep. 2026
  • Amazon’s jewelry selection is hugely underrated, in my humble opinion, and this $10 layered necklace is a pretty good example of why.
    — Annie Blackman, InStyle, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of underrate
Verb
  • Seaport upgrades Mattel to buy from hold Seaport said Mattel is undervalued.
    — Michael Bloom, CNBC, 12 Oct. 2026
  • Other faculty of color have reported feeling like they and their scholarship are undervalued by their schools and peers.
    — Rodney Coates, The Conversation, 9 Oct. 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 14 Oct. 2026.

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