as in minimizes
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 understates
In practice, that means the median sales price of new homes understates the actual discount, because many concessions don’t show up in the data.
—
Brandon Kochkodin, Forbes.com, 27 Aug. 2025
Brandon Kochkodin, Forbes.com, 27 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for understates
Verb
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Much like a soccer team employing zonal marking on a corner kick or free kick, going zone against a baseline out of bounds (BLOB) or sideline out of bounds (SLOB) play simplifies the defensive assignments and minimizes the impact of the opponent's crossing and screening actions.—
Jim Root,
New York Times,
10 Oct. 2025
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Formula-wise, stabilized retinal is super gentle and minimizes irritation, while ginseng brightens and boosts circulation, and glycerin supports the skin barrier.—
Lily Wohlner,
Allure,
9 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Each side dismisses the other's contention.—
Todd Spangler,
Freep.com,
4 Oct. 2025
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Trump dismisses Republican mayoral hopeful as Giuliani allies support Cuomo.—
,
FOXNews.com,
3 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Even as Vancouver publicly downplays its conviction about Cootes, internally, the conversation around him is beginning to shift materially.—
Thomas Drance,
New York Times,
30 Sep. 2025
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The film’s overall low-key tenor downplays both moral judgment and conspicuous style, though neither are entirely lacking.—
Dennis Harvey,
Variety,
22 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Understates.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/understates. Accessed 15 Oct. 2025.
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