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
underestimated the cost
2
: to think of as being lower in ability, influence, or value than is accurate : underrate
Her talent has always been underestimated.
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
For leaders who have never led a transaction—or who underestimate what happens after the deal closes—the learning curve is steep, and the margin for error is thin.
—
Jennifer J. Fondrevay, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026
Supporters of the pardon power further assured their colleagues that impeachment would furnish a corrective to any overuse of pardoning, underestimating the extent to which the modern party system would render this nearly impossible.
—Bernadette Meyler, Harpers Magazine, 27 Jan. 2026
Regarding what individuals can do, don’t underestimate the power of discussing these important issues with your peers, Bulletin scientists said.
—Kristen Rogers, CNN Money, 27 Jan. 2026
The level of skill, training and education possessed by international workers is underestimated, said Lewis, who is also a professor of practice in the Department of Radio-Television-Film at UT Austin.
—Eleanor Dearman
updated January 27, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for underestimate
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Jennifer J. Fondrevay, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026
Supporters of the pardon power further assured their colleagues that impeachment would furnish a corrective to any overuse of pardoning, underestimating the extent to which the modern party system would render this nearly impossible.
—Bernadette Meyler, Harpers Magazine, 27 Jan. 2026
Regarding what individuals can do, don’t underestimate the power of discussing these important issues with your peers, Bulletin scientists said.
—Kristen Rogers, CNN Money, 27 Jan. 2026
The level of skill, training and education possessed by international workers is underestimated, said Lewis, who is also a professor of practice in the Department of Radio-Television-Film at UT Austin.
—Eleanor Dearman
updated January 27, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for underestimate
Cite this Entry
“Underestimate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/underestimate. Accessed 29 Jan. 2026.
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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