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
But her outfit at Wimbledon proves that going for something understated is anything but boring.
—
Emma Mehl, Glamour, 10 July 2025
The last two years have served as an elongated — and somewhat understated — goodbye to basketball for Quigley.
—Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 10 July 2025
It's understated, lightweight, and comfortable, with excellent sleep tracking and health tips.
—Wired, Wired News, 8 July 2025
The presence of an emotionally mature partner is often understated, but the impact is anything but.
—Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 7 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for understate
Emma Mehl, Glamour, 10 July 2025
The last two years have served as an elongated — and somewhat understated — goodbye to basketball for Quigley.
—Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 10 July 2025
It's understated, lightweight, and comfortable, with excellent sleep tracking and health tips.
—Wired, Wired News, 8 July 2025
The presence of an emotionally mature partner is often understated, but the impact is anything but.
—Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 7 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for understate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for understate
Verb
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The smell will fade overtime as the blinds begin to dry, but diluting vinegar with water helps minimize the potency of the scent.—
Ashlyn Needham,
Southern Living,
19 July 2025
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Here are recommendations for maintaining safety during a thunderstorm: To minimize risk of being struck by lightning, when going outside, have a plan to get to a safer place.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
19 July 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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They have since been dismissed by the local solicitor general's office, WSB-TV reported.—
Eduardo Cuevas,
USA Today,
12 July 2025
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With the reciprocal tariffs, Trump is dismissing the rules governing world trade.—
Aamer Madhani,
Los Angeles Times,
12 July 2025
Verb
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The senior State Department official downplayed the study.—
Chris Boccia,
ABC News,
13 July 2025
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The man who has turned Paris Saint-Germain from an excellent side to the best club soccer team on the planet has even downplayed his role with the FIFA Club World Cup final against Chelsea at MetLife Stadium looming on Sunday at 3 p.m. ET.—
Michael Lewis,
Forbes.com,
12 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Understate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/understate. Accessed 25 Jul. 2025.
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