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
As the conflict puts a hold on the Strait of Hormuz, which is essential for global shipping, the expectation of delays and increasing prices is being understated, economists in the region said.
—
Mayu Saini, Sourcing Journal, 2 Mar. 2026
The buoying provided by two seismically successful, fiercely independent dramas cannot be understated.
—David Canfield, HollywoodReporter, 2 Mar. 2026
The senior’s importance to the Knights can’t be understated.
—Matt Murschel, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 Feb. 2026
The landscaping is understated and not overly manicured—lots of native oak trees, grasses and shrubs—which adds to the natural, unfussy feel of the property.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 24 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for understate
Mayu Saini, Sourcing Journal, 2 Mar. 2026
The buoying provided by two seismically successful, fiercely independent dramas cannot be understated.
—David Canfield, HollywoodReporter, 2 Mar. 2026
The senior’s importance to the Knights can’t be understated.
—Matt Murschel, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 Feb. 2026
The landscaping is understated and not overly manicured—lots of native oak trees, grasses and shrubs—which adds to the natural, unfussy feel of the property.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 24 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for understate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for understate
Verb
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Once stationary, deactivate all lights except the hazard flashers, engage the emergency brake, and release the brake pedal to ensure your tail lights remain unlit, minimizing the chance of other drivers colliding with your stationary vehicle.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
9 Mar. 2026
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By minimizing these internal losses, the motor can maintain higher efficiency across a wide range of operating conditions.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
9 Mar. 2026
Verb
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However, testimony also revealed text messages and emails between Gray and his supervisors that prosecutors say appeared to underplay the severity of the incident on the day of the shooting.—
Skyler Henry,
CBS News,
24 Feb. 2026
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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
Verb
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However, these picture-perfect images are often dismissed as advertisements that ignore the far less glamorous issues in the destination, including human rights abuses.—
Tamara Hardingham-Gill,
CNN Money,
6 Mar. 2026
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Prosecutors dismissed doxxing charges in the Baldwin Park case after a Homeland Security investigator told the court the address that protesters shouted on the livestream was a few houses away from where Reyes lived.—
James Queally,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Fernandez also downplayed his team being in South Florida for most of the week.—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
7 Mar. 2026
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Yet the handpicked chair of the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) has downplayed the importance of the vaccine for measles, as well as for polio and other highly contagious, deadly diseases.—
Jerome Adams,
Fortune,
7 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Understate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/understate. Accessed 12 Mar. 2026.
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