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
While this research and most post-mortems point to integration as the cause, that diagnosis understates the problem.
—
Sam Mugel, Forbes.com, 27 May 2026
That split between process and outcomes has left them 90 minutes from something the table understates.
—Sukhman Singh, New York Times, 23 May 2026
Andrew Higgins, an aerospace engineer at McGill University, worries that the LEGO-like way that SR-1 Freedom has been planned—with lots of parts from different, unrelated projects just waiting to be bolted together—vastly understates the challenge ahead.
—David W. Brown, Scientific American, 31 Mar. 2026
That number understates the destruction.
—Franklin Foer, The Atlantic, 11 Jan. 2026
Despite our efforts to provide accurate information, the editorial board’s column understates UCHealth’s uncompensated care, mischaracterizes our service to Medicaid patients and perpetuates misconceptions about investment income.
—Elizabeth B. Concordia, Denver Post, 29 Dec. 2025
Despite its warning, the LAO understates the significance.
—Joshua Rauh, Oc Register, 20 Dec. 2025
This understates the conflict’s stakes and in particular the risk of rewarding and thereby normalizing Russia’s zeal to control Ukraine.
—Michael Kimmage, Foreign Affairs, 8 Dec. 2025
The result is a headline inflation rate that understates the pain for the median household.
—Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 24 Oct. 2025
Sam Mugel, Forbes.com, 27 May 2026
That split between process and outcomes has left them 90 minutes from something the table understates.
—Sukhman Singh, New York Times, 23 May 2026
Andrew Higgins, an aerospace engineer at McGill University, worries that the LEGO-like way that SR-1 Freedom has been planned—with lots of parts from different, unrelated projects just waiting to be bolted together—vastly understates the challenge ahead.
—David W. Brown, Scientific American, 31 Mar. 2026
That number understates the destruction.
—Franklin Foer, The Atlantic, 11 Jan. 2026
Despite our efforts to provide accurate information, the editorial board’s column understates UCHealth’s uncompensated care, mischaracterizes our service to Medicaid patients and perpetuates misconceptions about investment income.
—Elizabeth B. Concordia, Denver Post, 29 Dec. 2025
Despite its warning, the LAO understates the significance.
—Joshua Rauh, Oc Register, 20 Dec. 2025
This understates the conflict’s stakes and in particular the risk of rewarding and thereby normalizing Russia’s zeal to control Ukraine.
—Michael Kimmage, Foreign Affairs, 8 Dec. 2025
The result is a headline inflation rate that understates the pain for the median household.
—Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 24 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for understates
Verb
-
This precaution minimizes electrical hazards during flooding.—
Bay Area Weather Report,
Mercury News,
10 June 2026
-
The council's website said that Oregon law recognizes animals as capable of experiencing pain and provides that animals should be cared for in a way that minimizes pain and suffering.—
Chiara Kim,
PEOPLE,
10 June 2026
Verb
-
Bisignano dismisses the criticism.—
Fatima Hussein,
Chicago Tribune,
9 June 2026
-
Steve dismisses the idea, but Alice is already playing wing-woman.—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
8 June 2026
Verb
-
Even as Sand downplays party politics, Democrats are putting faith in him to blaze a trail in the state after struggling electorally in recent cycles.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
7 June 2026
-
That's likely why Mindelle downplays that part of the gig, and instead focuses on the comedy that keeps her on her toes.—
Dave Quinn,
PEOPLE,
29 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Understates.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/understates. Accessed 18 Jun. 2026.
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