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.
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of understate
The pendant sits beautifully, understated and dainty, and it can easily be worn with any look.
—
Nora Colomer
May Earn A Commission If You Buy Through Our Referral Links. This Content Was Created By A Team That Works Independently From The Fox Newsroom., FOXNews.com, 5 May 2025
TransUnion cautioned that its finding of one in five student loan borrowers seriously delinquent may actually understate the problem due to the complexity of the issue.
—Matt Egan, CNN Money, 5 May 2025
To say that the audience becomes invested in this relationship is to understate.
—Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune, 5 May 2025
Its packaging is understated and classic—an elegant glass bottle with restrained branding, reflecting the confidence of a product that doesn't need to shout to be noticed.
—Hudson Lindenberger, Forbes.com, 25 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for understate
Nora Colomer
May Earn A Commission If You Buy Through Our Referral Links. This Content Was Created By A Team That Works Independently From The Fox Newsroom., FOXNews.com, 5 May 2025
TransUnion cautioned that its finding of one in five student loan borrowers seriously delinquent may actually understate the problem due to the complexity of the issue.
—Matt Egan, CNN Money, 5 May 2025
To say that the audience becomes invested in this relationship is to understate.
—Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune, 5 May 2025
Its packaging is understated and classic—an elegant glass bottle with restrained branding, reflecting the confidence of a product that doesn't need to shout to be noticed.
—Hudson Lindenberger, Forbes.com, 25 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for understate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for understate
Verb
-
Recycling reduces environmental strain by minimizing waste and the need for new resources.—
Nafeesah Allen,
Better Homes & Gardens,
8 May 2025
-
Each peptide tackles a different task (like minimizing expression lines or fading dark spots), while calming cica and barrier-loving oils like olive, jojoba, and moringa keep skin nourished and soothed.—
Christa Joanna Lee,
Allure,
8 May 2025
Verb
-
But his performance as the coldly confident Conway is still an excellent part of the world Scorsese constructs, and De Niro underplays to excellent effects.—
Wilson Chapman,
IndieWire,
24 Mar. 2025
-
By de-emphasizing the will of not just Poles but also Ukrainians, Hubris underplays the key factor that brought Putin to the point of annexing Crimea in 2014: Ukraine’s fervent hope for closer trade ties with the EU.—
Foreign Affairs,
Foreign Affairs,
9 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
The announcement comes after a jury candidate was dismissed on the first day of Combs' trial due to her connection to the publishing company.—
Patrick Ryan,
USA Today,
13 May 2025
-
When Trump left the presidency in 2021, the court dismissed the case as moot, leaving the constitutional provision largely untested and unresolved.—
Samantha-Jo Roth,
The Washington Examiner,
13 May 2025
Verb
-
Some chose to downplay their identities in certain settings to preserve influence or avoid pushback.—
Benjamin Laker,
Forbes.com,
13 May 2025
-
Longtime festival chief Thierry Frémaux downplayed the fracas by calling it an unfounded rumor.—
Chris Gardner,
HollywoodReporter,
12 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Understate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/understate. Accessed 21 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share