underrate

verb

un·​der·​rate ˌən-dər-ˈrāt 

ˌən-də-

underrated; underrating; underrates

transitive verb

: to rate or value (something or someone) too low : undervalue

His off-the-cuff improvisations, his airy tendency to throw out half-baked ideas, caused others to underrate his continuity of purpose …

—Arthur Schlesinger, Jr.

As I watched the film for the first time …, it seemed to me that its effect was to exploit innocence and violence in ways that overrate the power of the first and underrate the complexity of the second …

—Vincent Canby

see also underrated

Synonyms

• underestimate
• undervalue

Examples of underrate in a Sentence

She underrated her student's ability.

it's perhaps the most underrated film of the last decade

Recent Examples on the Web

A couple things that list sparks in my mind.......man, is Carl Yastrzemski underrated. —Tony Blengino, Forbes, 4 Nov. 2024

The Wu-Tang Clan frontman believes Drake may have underrated K. Dot’s rapping ability coming into the battle. —Michael Saponara, Billboard, 25 Oct. 2024

Depending on your league, that could also make Swift underrated. —Dan Pompei, The Athletic, 26 Aug. 2024

Shop more shoe deals: Madewell’s bag selection is underrated. —Jenifer Calle, Glamour, 2 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1632, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

underrate

verb

un·​der·​rate ˌən-də(r)-ˈrāt 

: to rate too low : undervalue