underestimate

verb

un·​der·​es·​ti·​mate ˌən-dər-ˈe-stə-ˌmāt How to pronounce underestimate (audio)
underestimated; underestimating; underestimates

transitive verb

1
: to estimate as being less than the actual size, quantity, or number
2
: to place too low a value on : underrate
underestimate noun
underestimation noun

Examples of underestimate in a Sentence

The city underestimated the cost of the new building. The number of people in the crowd was underestimated by 5,000. Never underestimate the importance of a good education. Her talent has always been underestimated.
Recent Examples on the Web The Gail Model tends to underestimate risk, while the Tyrer-Cuzick model may overestimate it, which is why physicians tend to consider both the scores and other factors when determining screening strategies, said Mouabbi. Alyssa Hui, Verywell Health, 18 Mar. 2024 And economists actually may be underestimating just how much rising rates are harming consumers. Alicia Adamczyk, Fortune, 11 Mar. 2024 Some scholars, however, consider these numbers underestimates — an analysis by psychologists Will Gervais and Maxine B. Najle suggests the true count is closer to 26%. Harmeet Kaur, CNN, 10 Mar. 2024 Biden warned that the GOP underestimated the power of women to mobilize, referencing past wins when reproductive freedom was on the ballot and predicting a win again in 2024. Deirdre Walsh, NPR, 8 Mar. 2024 Therefore, our risk calculations likely still underestimate the true impact of fisheries on marine predators. Heather Welch, The Conversation, 6 Mar. 2024 For Biden, questions about his age were inextricable from feelings of being underestimated by the establishment. Evan Osnos, The New Yorker, 4 Mar. 2024 The significance of frontline leaders is often underestimated. Phil Geldart, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2024 Analyzing cases of unsupervised melatonin ingestion in young children during emergency department visits also underestimates the frequency of melatonin ingestions by children 5 and under, the researchers said. Amanda Musa, CNN, 7 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'underestimate.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1792, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of underestimate was in 1792

Dictionary Entries Near underestimate

Cite this Entry

“Underestimate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/underestimate. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

underestimate

verb
un·​der·​es·​ti·​mate ˌən-də-ˈres-tə-ˌmāt How to pronounce underestimate (audio)
1
: to estimate as being less than the actual size, quantity, or number
underestimate the cost of a new building
2
: to place too low a value on : underrate
underestimate an opponent
underestimate noun
underestimation noun

More from Merriam-Webster on underestimate

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