undersell

verb

un·​der·​sell ˌən-dər-ˈsel How to pronounce undersell (audio)
undersold ˌən-dər-ˈsōld How to pronounce undersell (audio) ; underselling

transitive verb

1
: to sell articles cheaper than
undersell a competitor
we will not be undersold
2
: to sell cheaper than
imported cars that undersell domestic ones
3
: to present or speak of (something or someone) as having a lower value or less importance than is actual or deserved : underrate
advising job applicants not to undersell themselves
Don't undersell the qualities of a worthy trail horse …Lucie Stigler
Dylan's musicianship is often undersold by critics …Amanda Petrusich

Examples of undersell in a Sentence

They promised to undersell their competitors. We will not be undersold. imported cars that undersell domestic models
Recent Examples on the Web Worryingly, Tuesday’s run undersold the Studebaker, the Fine Arts Building’s in-house theater. Hannah Edgar, Chicago Tribune, 2 Oct. 2024 If anything, this diagram undersells the control complexity here. Kyle Orland, Ars Technica, 18 Sep. 2024 But that casualness really undersells what a huge change this is. Marci Robin, Allure, 11 Sep. 2024 Calling it just a pillow seems to undersell its actual usefulness. New Atlas, 30 July 2024 People are underselling the Working Families Party, the Democratic Socialists of America and the Justice Democrats. Tal Axelrod, ABC News, 27 June 2024 Never underselling the crippling terror that rules Samira’s every move, the actor conveys the conflict between the character’s bitterness and her humanity, remaining tenacious and decisive even when her body starts seriously failing her. David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 27 June 2024 This episode starts to bring all the plot threads together without underselling the characters. Keith Phipps, Vulture, 9 Jan. 2024 If anything, the authors undersell the point: the tension between these two propositions itself has significant value. Stephen I. Vladeck, Foreign Affairs, 19 Oct. 2021

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'undersell.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1613, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of undersell was in 1613

Dictionary Entries Near undersell

Cite this Entry

“Undersell.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/undersell. Accessed 2 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

undersell

verb
un·​der·​sell ˌən-dər-ˈsel How to pronounce undersell (audio)
undersold -ˈsōld How to pronounce undersell (audio) ; underselling
: to sell articles cheaper than
undersell a competitor

More from Merriam-Webster on undersell

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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