understate
verb
un·der·state
ˌən-dər-ˈstāt 
understated; understating; understates
1
: to represent as less than is the case
understate taxable income
2
: to state or present with restraint especially for effect
Examples of understate in a Sentence
He understated his taxable income.
She's trying to understate the issue.
Recent Examples on the Web
And don’t understate this: With Jimmy Butler disengaged or suspended from late December until his trade, Miami finished last in the league in free-throw attempts per 48 minutes late in close games.
—
Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 14 Apr. 2025
If anything, it's been understated in the public discussion.
—Savannah Kuchar, USA Today, 14 Apr. 2025
Arva, the Italian option, is understated and seasonal.
—Nel-Olivia Waga, Forbes.com, 10 Apr. 2025
After multitudes of motions, and voluminous discovery, the trial in what ultimately came to be known as O’Bannon v. NCAA took place over two weeks in June 2014, during which Wilken evinced her growing but understated skepticism about the NCAA’s rationale for preventing athletes from getting paid.
—Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 4 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for understate
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Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 14 Apr. 2025
If anything, it's been understated in the public discussion.
—Savannah Kuchar, USA Today, 14 Apr. 2025
Arva, the Italian option, is understated and seasonal.
—Nel-Olivia Waga, Forbes.com, 10 Apr. 2025
After multitudes of motions, and voluminous discovery, the trial in what ultimately came to be known as O’Bannon v. NCAA took place over two weeks in June 2014, during which Wilken evinced her growing but understated skepticism about the NCAA’s rationale for preventing athletes from getting paid.
—Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 4 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for understate
Cite this Entry
“Understate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/understate. Accessed 20 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
understate
verb
un·der·state
ˌən-dər-ˈstāt
1
: to represent as less than is the case
understate taxable income
2
: to state mildly especially on purpose
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