underestimate

verb

un·​der·​es·​ti·​mate ˌən-dər-ˈe-stə-ˌmāt 

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

ˌən-dər-ˈe-stə-mət 

noun

underestimation

ˌən-dər-ˌe-stə-ˈmā-shən 

noun

Synonyms

• underrate
• undervalue

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

Without a state or national policy change, the long-term effect of SNAP restrictions on Americans' diets is likely to be underestimated. —Ron Estes, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Mar. 2025

Investors might be underestimating the impact of tariffs on pharmaceutical products, according to one Wall Street firm. —Natasha Abellard, CNBC, 31 Mar. 2025

Lessons for Investors Don’t underestimate the power of policy to move markets. —Frank Holmes, Forbes.com, 31 Mar. 2025

Many prior studies have relied on mothers’ self-reporting – which underestimates use, as many people take acetaminophen without knowing it, according to Baker. —Shiv Sudhakar, FOXNews.com, 27 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1792, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for underestimate

• borosilicate
• decontaminate
• deoxycholate
• deteriorate
• differentiate
• diisocyanate
• dinoflagellate
• excommunicate
• incapacitate
• insubordinate
• intercorporate
• interpenetrate

Kids 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

underestimate

-mət 

noun

underestimation

-ˌres-tə-ˈmā-shən 

noun