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 for those channeling understated cool, Sofia Richie Grainge has made a case for the simple jelly flip-flop — a subtle yet trendy nod to the season’s biggest sandal obsessions.
—
Lauren Alexis Fisher, Footwear News, 28 July 2025
That’s another effect of ACL tears that can’t be understated: The mental impact can be huge.
—Cindy Kuzma, SELF, 31 July 2025
To say the Lucas appearance was a hot ticket is to understate.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 29 July 2025
Preemptive wars may be foregone by understating the risk of an enemy attack that occurs.
—Bruce Fein, Baltimore Sun, 24 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for understate
Lauren Alexis Fisher, Footwear News, 28 July 2025
That’s another effect of ACL tears that can’t be understated: The mental impact can be huge.
—Cindy Kuzma, SELF, 31 July 2025
To say the Lucas appearance was a hot ticket is to understate.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 29 July 2025
Preemptive wars may be foregone by understating the risk of an enemy attack that occurs.
—Bruce Fein, Baltimore Sun, 24 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for understate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for understate
Verb
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Comfort: cycling infrastructure should allow for comfortable maneuvering and minimize the use of (precious) human energy.—
Carlton Reid,
Forbes.com,
12 Aug. 2025
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Many native grasses and wildflowers have extensive root systems that grow deep and wide, helping minimize runoff and prevent erosion.—
Luke Miller,
Better Homes & Gardens,
11 Aug. 2025
Verb
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To say that there is no love lost between the two sides would be to underplay the depth of feeling here.—
Jack Lang,
New York Times,
9 June 2025
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The Takacs was already a fine quartet, with a lyrical, emotionally frank sensibility that rarely underplayed the character of a phrase.—
David Allen Chet Strange,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2025
Verb
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The proceedings were dismissed in early 2024 due to inactivity.—
Angela Andaloro,
People.com,
5 Aug. 2025
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The woman also filed a petition for an injunction in 2016, and the case was dismissed six months later.—
Angie DiMichele,
Sun Sentinel,
5 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Peskov downplayed the significance of Trump's move, noting that American submarines are routinely on combat duty.—
Amanda Castro,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 Aug. 2025
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Powell downplayed the significance of the dissents during a Wednesday press conference, praising Fed Vice Chair of Supervision Michelle Bowman and board member Christopher Waller, both Trump appointees, for laying out clear cases for their decisions.—
Kristina Karisch,
The Hill,
31 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Understate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/understate. Accessed 19 Aug. 2025.
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