as in to minimize
to say that (something) is smaller, less important, etc., than it really is
He understated his taxable income. She's trying to understate the issue/problem.
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of understate
And yet, the power of this kind of documentation—the kind that’s being performed by observers in Minnesota every day, who are risking their lives to film clashes between agents and protestors—that cannot be understated.
—
Charlie Warzel, The Atlantic, 30 Jan. 2026
With the Dolphins in search of a new identity under Sullivan and coach Jeff Hafley, the importance of the trenches cannot be understated.
—Miami Herald, 28 Jan. 2026
The state's comptroller, Thomas DiNapoli, said budget gaps were previously understated.
—Alexa Herrera, CBS News, 28 Jan. 2026
All three main actors deliver performances that are understated, but sneak up on you with their complexity.
—Wilson Chapman, IndieWire, 28 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for understate
Charlie Warzel, The Atlantic, 30 Jan. 2026
With the Dolphins in search of a new identity under Sullivan and coach Jeff Hafley, the importance of the trenches cannot be understated.
—Miami Herald, 28 Jan. 2026
The state's comptroller, Thomas DiNapoli, said budget gaps were previously understated.
—Alexa Herrera, CBS News, 28 Jan. 2026
All three main actors deliver performances that are understated, but sneak up on you with their complexity.
—Wilson Chapman, IndieWire, 28 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for understate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for understate
Verb
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This minimizes the chance of birds or pests removing the seeds or wind or rain blowing or washing them away.—
Lee Wallender,
The Spruce,
15 Feb. 2026
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Instead of hurrying to break up tents and scatter RVs, Lee and Oakland’s interim homelessness chief Sasha Hauswald want city workers to focus on minimizing trash and human waste around encampments.—
Grant Stringer,
Mercury News,
15 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Eric McDaniel, a professor of history at the University of Texas at Austin, said the post diverged from the manner in which previous administrations have characterized papal disagreements, often underplaying dissent but stopping short of falsely implying agreement.—
Marc Ramirez,
USA Today,
21 Jan. 2026
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Japan’s Moment To Continue A moment is probably underplaying it a little.—
Jesse Whittock,
Deadline,
30 Dec. 2025
Verb
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After days of deliberations, the House justice committee voted to dismiss the impeachment complaints filed by left-wing activists and a lawyer against Marcos.—
JIM GOMEZ THE ASSOCIATED PRESS,
Arkansas Online,
5 Feb. 2026
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Saab denied the allegations and appealed to have the charges dismissed on grounds of diplomatic immunity.—
Landon Mion,
FOXNews.com,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
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This film adaptation cut out the second half of the book, downplayed the violence committed by Olivier’s character, Heathcliff, and played up the romance between Heathcliff and Oberon’s character, Cathy.—
Becky Little,
Time,
13 Feb. 2026
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Fennell shows little interest in this aspect of the novel and very much downplays its impact on how Heathcliff is treated as an outsider.—
Wilson Chapman,
IndieWire,
13 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Understate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/understate. Accessed 20 Feb. 2026.
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