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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Recent Examples of understate
The design language is understated yet refined — spaces that invite guests to settle in, slow down and reconnect.
—
Miami Herald, 1 May 2026
It’s understated, but never boring.
—Samantha Leal, Travel + Leisure, 30 Apr. 2026
At times understated, at others more pointed, the speech appeared to land well in the room, drawing many standing ovations.
—Freddie Clayton, NBC news, 29 Apr. 2026
The role of mass transit as a driver of economics at every level cannot be understated.
—Mary Tomolonius, Hartford Courant, 29 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for understate
Miami Herald, 1 May 2026
It’s understated, but never boring.
—Samantha Leal, Travel + Leisure, 30 Apr. 2026
At times understated, at others more pointed, the speech appeared to land well in the room, drawing many standing ovations.
—Freddie Clayton, NBC news, 29 Apr. 2026
The role of mass transit as a driver of economics at every level cannot be understated.
—Mary Tomolonius, Hartford Courant, 29 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for understate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for understate
Verb
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Until the time of surgery if it is warranted, sometimes using saline flushes or eye lubricants can minimize irritation of the eyes.—
Dr. John De Jong,
Boston Herald,
10 May 2026
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Most of the time blueberries must be hand-picked, but machine harvestable blueberries can minimize labor costs for growers.—
Olivia Wakim,
AJC.com,
10 May 2026
Verb
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However, because the artists were not of Mexican descent, Chicano music histories often overlook or underplay this era.—
Oliver Wang,
Los Angeles Times,
4 May 2026
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Not to underplay the seriousness of the situation, of course, but the suspect never made it inside.—
Amber Harding OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Then in September, Newsom's Legal Affairs Secretary David Sapp sent an email to JUSD administrators on what appeared to include a copy of the state's motion to dismiss that lawsuit, as seen in public records obtained by Fox News Digital.—
Jackson Thompson OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
7 May 2026
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Curiel also declined to dismiss causes of action against three of the deputy’s supervisors, who are accused of knowing the female deputy failed to return to the scene and had dissuaded Quinones from providing assistance.—
City News Service,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
7 May 2026
Verb
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Many community leaders and local officials downplayed the impact of SB 79 on San Diego when it was approved last October because the city had already done significant upzoning near many of its trolley stops, especially in University City and Mission Valley.—
David Garrick,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
9 May 2026
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The AfD has become more radical since then, and some of its prominent members have openly used Nazi language and downplayed the Holocaust.—
Nick Tabor,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
8 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Understate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/understate. Accessed 12 May. 2026.
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