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.
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Recent Examples of understating
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, who has already bet $1 billion against an AI bubble, explained how companies like Meta and Oracle are understating the depreciation of their AI investments to inflate profits and play down their massive capital expenditure programs.
—Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 14 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
Along the way, commentators have scuttled important details, understating or overstating the movement's potential spoils and perils.
—Jerel Ezell, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 Aug. 2025
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, who has already bet $1 billion against an AI bubble, explained how companies like Meta and Oracle are understating the depreciation of their AI investments to inflate profits and play down their massive capital expenditure programs.
—Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 14 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
Along the way, commentators have scuttled important details, understating or overstating the movement's potential spoils and perils.
—Jerel Ezell, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for understating
Verb
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Meanwhile, a low-luster finish gives paint a subtle sheen that wears off over time, while minimizing overall fading because the paint is better protected from the elements.—
Shagun Khare,
Martha Stewart,
19 Feb. 2026
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The tension settings stretch and evenly distribute airflow while minimizing heat exposure.—
Essence Wiley,
InStyle,
19 Feb. 2026
Verb
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But dismissing or minimizing disappointment can unintentionally teach children to ignore or suppress emotions.—
Lauryn Higgins,
Parents,
17 Feb. 2026
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Ignoring or outright dismissing Black parents who seek options is not progress — or progressive.—
Darius Jones,
New York Daily News,
15 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
For their part, Wilmore and Williams routinely defended NASA's decision while downplaying their extended stay as being part of the job.—
Eric Lagatta,
USA Today,
20 Feb. 2026
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Although hopeful, other Republicans did not follow the president’s lead in downplaying their loss.—
David Zimmermann,
The Washington Examiner,
8 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Understating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/understating. Accessed 24 Feb. 2026.
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