understate
Americanverb (used with object)
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to state or represent less strongly or strikingly than the facts would bear out; set forth in restrained, moderate, or weak terms.
The casualty lists understate the extent of the disaster.
verb
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to state (something) in restrained terms, often to obtain an ironic effect
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to state that (something, such as a number) is less than it is
Other Word Forms
- understatement noun
Etymology
Origin of understate
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
It is worth keeping in mind that Chinese authorities have been known to understate their actual accumulation, Skoyles noted.
From MarketWatch • Apr. 4, 2026
That may understate the value of capital gains for the wealthy.
From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 19, 2026
You can’t understate what is going to happen to productivity in this country.
From Barron's • Jan. 9, 2026
It’s good to have enough in your cabinet reserves, but don’t understate how far two can go.
From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 9, 2025
Francis saw no reason to understate the power of the helical theory and within several minutes revealed the way Bessel functions gave neat answers.
From "Double Helix" by James D. Watson
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.