underestimate
verb
un·der·es·ti·mate
ˌən-dər-ˈe-stə-ˌmāt 
underestimated; underestimating; underestimates
1
: to estimate as being less than the actual size, quantity, or number
2
: to place too low a value on : underrate
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
With Mussolini, [other] politicians underestimated him at the beginning, only to find themselves in a dictatorship.
—
Gianmaria Tammaro, The Hollywood Reporter, 31 Jan. 2025
Many homeowners underestimate the replacement cost of their homes, leading to insufficient coverage.
—William Jones, USA TODAY, 31 Jan. 2025
People took cannabis and rated their own impairment before driving in a simulator, and most vastly underestimated their own highness.
—Jahan Marcu, Rolling Stone, 29 Jan. 2025
Never underestimate Brittany Howard or the electronic neo-soul of What Now, as her unshakeable voice and songwriting skills have earned her numerous nominations.
—Madison Bloom, Pitchfork, 29 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for underestimate 
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Gianmaria Tammaro, The Hollywood Reporter, 31 Jan. 2025
Many homeowners underestimate the replacement cost of their homes, leading to insufficient coverage.
—William Jones, USA TODAY, 31 Jan. 2025
People took cannabis and rated their own impairment before driving in a simulator, and most vastly underestimated their own highness.
—Jahan Marcu, Rolling Stone, 29 Jan. 2025
Never underestimate Brittany Howard or the electronic neo-soul of What Now, as her unshakeable voice and songwriting skills have earned her numerous nominations.
—Madison Bloom, Pitchfork, 29 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for underestimate
Articles Related to underestimate
Dictionary Entries Near underestimate
Cite this Entry
“Underestimate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/underestimate. Accessed 4 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
underestimate
verb
un·der·es·ti·mate
ˌən-də-ˈres-tə-ˌmāt
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
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