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
My brand is geared toward a consumer who appreciates individuality and quality but doesn’t want anything too loud or overworked, even the larger pieces are relatively understated which allows the stones to shine.
—
Thomas Waller, Footwear News, 27 May 2026
The state championship results, combined with other recent high finishes for Pepper-Jackson, are at odds with Pepper-Jackson’s lawyers’ previous claims understating the transgender athlete’s performance in girls’ events.
—Jack Birle, The Washington Examiner, 27 May 2026
Her style can seem simple and understated on paper or on a screen, but in person, the portraits are colossal, sometimes up to 10 feet tall.
—Leah Asmelash, CNN Money, 24 May 2026
That split between process and outcomes has left them 90 minutes from something the table understates.
—Sukhman Singh, New York Times, 23 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for understate
Thomas Waller, Footwear News, 27 May 2026
The state championship results, combined with other recent high finishes for Pepper-Jackson, are at odds with Pepper-Jackson’s lawyers’ previous claims understating the transgender athlete’s performance in girls’ events.
—Jack Birle, The Washington Examiner, 27 May 2026
Her style can seem simple and understated on paper or on a screen, but in person, the portraits are colossal, sometimes up to 10 feet tall.
—Leah Asmelash, CNN Money, 24 May 2026
That split between process and outcomes has left them 90 minutes from something the table understates.
—Sukhman Singh, New York Times, 23 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for understate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for understate
Verb
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Starry is propelled by my real and personal anger that these women’s contributions to the genre have been minimized or elided altogether.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
1 June 2026
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Doing so aids in minimizing confounding variables.—
Lance Eliot,
Forbes.com,
31 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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In December, Rozier requested that the case be dismissed, arguing that the government had overstepped by charging him with fraud.—
Tom Winter,
NBC news,
28 May 2026
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During sentencing, Baskin dismissed the argument that the devices were used for purposes such as exploding targets and fireworks.—
Shannon Tyler,
Idaho Statesman,
28 May 2026
Verb
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Koepele has a business interest in downplaying the danger in New York waters.—
Clara Molot,
Vanity Fair,
30 May 2026
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Asked about arms sales to Taiwan, Hegseth downplayed concerns that a multi-billion-dollar package could be affected as the United States draws down its weapons stockpiles amid the Middle East conflict.—
Reuters,
NBC news,
30 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Understate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/understate. Accessed 1 Jun. 2026.
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