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
The casual space and its furnishings are modern and understated, with a floor plan drenched in natural light thanks to windows on all sides.
—
Audrey Lee, Architectural Digest, 24 Oct. 2025
Benet, whose role building the Catalonian giant into a major sports can’t be understated, would have known his post was under threat after Mediapro lost a long-standing contract to produce LaLiga soccer matches.
—Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 24 Oct. 2025
Mid-City Restaurant, Downtown Mid-City is one of the friendliest and most understated restaurant/bars in town.
—Keith Pandolfi, Cincinnati Enquirer, 24 Oct. 2025
The result is a headline inflation rate that understates the pain for the median household.
—Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 24 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for understate
Audrey Lee, Architectural Digest, 24 Oct. 2025
Benet, whose role building the Catalonian giant into a major sports can’t be understated, would have known his post was under threat after Mediapro lost a long-standing contract to produce LaLiga soccer matches.
—Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 24 Oct. 2025
Mid-City Restaurant, Downtown Mid-City is one of the friendliest and most understated restaurant/bars in town.
—Keith Pandolfi, Cincinnati Enquirer, 24 Oct. 2025
The result is a headline inflation rate that understates the pain for the median household.
—Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 24 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for understate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for understate
Verb
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Like machines, most companies are designed to create efficient, predictable outcomes; minimize risk; and eliminate variation.—
Jana Werner,
Harvard Business Review,
5 Nov. 2025
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The medication contains a small amount of radioactive material, which means it must be handled carefully to minimize radiation exposure.—
Melissa Rudy,
FOXNews.com,
4 Nov. 2025
Verb
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China rejects this view and has blasted Taipei for underplaying the role of Chinese Communists in defeating Imperial Japan.—
Jan Camenzind Broomby,
NPR,
2 Sep. 2025
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Bader gives a sharp, subtle performance, underplaying in scenes where even an experienced actor might chomp down.—
Stephanie Zacharek,
Time,
1 Sep. 2025
Verb
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On Wednesday, in documents obtained by Rolling Stone, a California superior court judge overseeing the lawsuit ruled in favor of Kardashian and the anti-SLAPP motion, effectively dismissing the other Cantu’s lawsuit, though the judge left open the possibility of an appeal.—
Daniel Kreps,
Rolling Stone,
6 Nov. 2025
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This company’s approach to pest control begins with a philosophy that dismisses the business-as-usual assumptions.—
Malana VanTyler,
USA Today,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
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In a separate interview with CNN on Wednesday, Luntz also downplayed inflation as an election issue and drew a distinction with affordability.—
Jason Ma,
Fortune,
8 Nov. 2025
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One military leader did not name Bahonar but criticized officials who downplay the importance of the hijab mandate.—
Arash Azizi,
The Atlantic,
7 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Understate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/understate. Accessed 9 Nov. 2025.
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