Synonyms

understate

American

[uhn-der-steyt] / ˌʌn dərˈsteɪt /

verb (used with object)

understated, understating

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.

understate British

/ ˌʌndəˈsteɪt /

verb

to state (something) in restrained terms, often to obtain an ironic effect
to state that (something, such as a number) is less than it is

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

understatement noun

Etymology

Origin of understate

First recorded in 1815–25; under- + state

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.

Dating at work isn’t going away, but the impact can’t be understated, she says.

From The Wall Street Journal

The vibe inside—serene, understated, urbane, embracing Zen-centric design principles and mass-class materials—hasn’t and doesn’t change much, from car to car.

From The Wall Street Journal

Many investors view book value as an understated proxy for intrinsic value.

From Barron's

It is difficult to understate the importance of this shift.

From MarketWatch

Capital requirements rely heavily on risk weights and internal models that understate true exposure.

From Barron's

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023