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
The result is a headline inflation rate that understates the pain for the median household.
—
Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 24 Oct. 2025
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
Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 24 Oct. 2025
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for understates
Verb
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Some dishwasher pods contain rinse aid, which helps with the drying process and minimizes water spots, while others don't.—
Maria Sabella,
Better Homes & Gardens,
7 Nov. 2025
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Scholarly analysis of PragerU videos have found the content minimizes the impact of slavery and promotes misinformation on topics including climate change.—
Emery Petchauer,
The Conversation,
4 Nov. 2025
Verb
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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
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Back in the present, Ron checks in with Natalie about her engagement, concerned about the way Tara dismisses her artistic passions and, even worse, forces her to add olives to everything.—
Ben Rosenstock,
Vulture,
3 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Kingsnorth unfairly downplays the many individuals and organizations who do still have views mostly in keeping with his own degrowth perspectives.—
Tyler Austin Harper,
The Atlantic,
11 Nov. 2025
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Continue reading … MIXED MESSAGES – Spanberger downplays Jay Jones' text scandal as Virginia election nears.—
,
FOXNews.com,
23 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Understates.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/understates. Accessed 26 Nov. 2025.
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