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
Many also underestimate the potential for passive income or fail to modernize outdated laundromats for higher profits.
—
Jack Kelly, Forbes.com, 3 May 2025
The achievement of winning a Europa League group the following year containing Marseille, Ajax and AEK Athens should not be underestimated, even though the first leg tie at Roma in the last 16 went horribly wrong with that 4-0 defeat.
—Andy Naylor, New York Times, 2 May 2025
The environmental scientist and his colleagues have found that the dangers of dust storms are often underestimated.
—Ian Randall, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 May 2025
No one should underestimate the capacity of Carey’s lambs to be displeased about the pop superstar being absent from the final selection.
—Chris Willman, Variety, 28 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for underestimate
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Jack Kelly, Forbes.com, 3 May 2025
The achievement of winning a Europa League group the following year containing Marseille, Ajax and AEK Athens should not be underestimated, even though the first leg tie at Roma in the last 16 went horribly wrong with that 4-0 defeat.
—Andy Naylor, New York Times, 2 May 2025
The environmental scientist and his colleagues have found that the dangers of dust storms are often underestimated.
—Ian Randall, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 May 2025
No one should underestimate the capacity of Carey’s lambs to be displeased about the pop superstar being absent from the final selection.
—Chris Willman, Variety, 28 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for underestimate
Cite this Entry
“Underestimate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/underestimate. Accessed 14 May. 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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