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 a component of the lawsuit, R Solution said Slim Chickens touted an inflated average unit volume (AUV) figure that fails to reflect a typical franchise performance and that Slim Chickens consistently understated the cost of goods and services.
—
John Magsam, Arkansas Online, 16 June 2025
The passion is felt through each index, and I’m even drawn to the high drama of the $1.5 million extravagance of the Deep Blue—the least understated of all Biver’s creations.
—Thor Svaboe, Robb Report, 13 June 2025
Lead by artistic director Alessandro Sartori, Zegna presented bomber jackets, scarfs, casual button shirts, wool jackets, shorts, and trousers that were understated while providing luster to common silhouettes.
—Cassell Ferere, Forbes.com, 15 June 2025
The look was a classy, yet slightly understated, diversion from Princess Kate's past Trooping fashion.
—Meredith Kile, People.com, 14 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for understate
John Magsam, Arkansas Online, 16 June 2025
The passion is felt through each index, and I’m even drawn to the high drama of the $1.5 million extravagance of the Deep Blue—the least understated of all Biver’s creations.
—Thor Svaboe, Robb Report, 13 June 2025
Lead by artistic director Alessandro Sartori, Zegna presented bomber jackets, scarfs, casual button shirts, wool jackets, shorts, and trousers that were understated while providing luster to common silhouettes.
—Cassell Ferere, Forbes.com, 15 June 2025
The look was a classy, yet slightly understated, diversion from Princess Kate's past Trooping fashion.
—Meredith Kile, People.com, 14 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for understate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for understate
Verb
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Here are some strategies for carving up a large restaurant bill to minimize stress on wait staff and prevent fights among tablemates.—
Lois K. Solomon,
Sun Sentinel,
25 June 2025
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Specifically, their proprietary algorithms forecast store and product sales across millions of SKUs and diverse product lines to maximize inventory turns, minimize overstock and, importantly, drive sales.—
Noah Barsky,
Forbes.com,
25 June 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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Operation Ajax, a joint CIA-British operation, convinced the Shah of Iran, the country’s monarch, to dismiss Mossadegh and drive him from office by force.—
Jeffrey Fields,
The Conversation,
18 June 2025
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Last month, Fernando Casas-Gamboa’s attorney filed a motion to dismiss the indictment, alleging that ICE is wrongly detaining his client on immigration grounds despite Major ordering his pre-trial release in the criminal case.—
Alex Riggins,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
18 June 2025
Verb
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Drug ads often downplay the risks, leading to uninformed decisions.—
Phillip Molnar,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
19 June 2025
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Thomson downplayed the drama before Tuesday’s game.—
Anthony Stitt,
Forbes.com,
18 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Understate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/understate. Accessed 1 Jul. 2025.
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