as in minimizing
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.
Related Words
Relevance
Dissimilar Words
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 understating
The Muddy Waters report also alleges that SoFi has been assigning the wrong discount rate to its student loan portfolio—essentially overvaluing it—as well as understating its exposure to loans in default.
—
Jeff John Roberts, Fortune, 25 Mar. 2026
Critics of Mamdani accuse him of downplaying the complexities of the city’s vast dispatch system while understating the number of calls that require a police response.
—ABC News, 19 Mar. 2026
Michkov’s sophomore season has been a dud, and that may be understating it.
—Kevin Kurz, New York Times, 13 Jan. 2026
In that scenario, the song is actually understating the case.
—Phil Plait, Scientific American, 18 Dec. 2025
But Powell warns the official numbers may still be understating the weakness in the job market.
—Scott Horsley, NPR, 16 Dec. 2025
Most importantly, there’s no understating the importance of its affordability.
—Audrey Bruno, SELF, 24 Nov. 2025
Burry this week suggested that companies including Meta, Oracle, Microsoft, Google and Amazon are overstating the useful life of their AI chips and understating depreciation.
—Kif Leswing, CNBC, 14 Nov. 2025
There is no understating the size and weight of the Panthers losing team captain Aleksander Barkov to season-ending knee surgery, the recovery time set at seven to nine months.
—Miami Herald, 26 Oct. 2025
Jeff John Roberts, Fortune, 25 Mar. 2026
Critics of Mamdani accuse him of downplaying the complexities of the city’s vast dispatch system while understating the number of calls that require a police response.
—ABC News, 19 Mar. 2026
Michkov’s sophomore season has been a dud, and that may be understating it.
—Kevin Kurz, New York Times, 13 Jan. 2026
In that scenario, the song is actually understating the case.
—Phil Plait, Scientific American, 18 Dec. 2025
But Powell warns the official numbers may still be understating the weakness in the job market.
—Scott Horsley, NPR, 16 Dec. 2025
Most importantly, there’s no understating the importance of its affordability.
—Audrey Bruno, SELF, 24 Nov. 2025
Burry this week suggested that companies including Meta, Oracle, Microsoft, Google and Amazon are overstating the useful life of their AI chips and understating depreciation.
—Kif Leswing, CNBC, 14 Nov. 2025
There is no understating the size and weight of the Panthers losing team captain Aleksander Barkov to season-ending knee surgery, the recovery time set at seven to nine months.
—Miami Herald, 26 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for understating
Verb
-
The serum is formulated with a holy grail powerhouse that consists of a fortifying complex, firming complex, and Matrixyl 3000—all pivotal for minimizing signs of aging.—
Alicia Geigel,
Southern Living,
2 Apr. 2026
-
Maybe so, but there's no minimizing the impact of size this week in Indianapolis.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The high court order allows a lower court to consider dismissing his indictment.—
Mark Sherman,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Apr. 2026
-
Additionally, the judge took the rare and drastic step of permanently dismissing all legal claims brought by Brigandi’s client, San Diego resident Joanne Couvrette, against her brothers in the winery dispute.—
Alex Riggins,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
4 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Activists have long accused the government of downplaying the issue.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Apr. 2026
-
And yet again, this mayor sits on the sidelines downplaying such violence with his typical rhetoric.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
5 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Understating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/understating. Accessed 9 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
