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
Strategy to come out on top Still, experts caution against underestimating China’s long-term prospects.
—
John Liu, CNN Money, 11 Feb. 2026
Philistines are always declaring that no one reads literary criticism, but the record shows that publishers systematically underestimate the popularity of book reviews.
—Becca Rothfeld, New Yorker, 10 Feb. 2026
Thomas, for all his proprietary yammering about his young wards, turns out to have fatally underestimated them.
—Literary Hub, 10 Feb. 2026
Seattle’s assimilation of so many players that had previously been underestimated or counted out or pigeonholed, though — starting with former Jets first-round quarterback Sam Darnold — into such a dominant whole is rare.
—Pat Leonard, New York Daily News, 9 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for underestimate
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John Liu, CNN Money, 11 Feb. 2026
Philistines are always declaring that no one reads literary criticism, but the record shows that publishers systematically underestimate the popularity of book reviews.
—Becca Rothfeld, New Yorker, 10 Feb. 2026
Thomas, for all his proprietary yammering about his young wards, turns out to have fatally underestimated them.
—Literary Hub, 10 Feb. 2026
Seattle’s assimilation of so many players that had previously been underestimated or counted out or pigeonholed, though — starting with former Jets first-round quarterback Sam Darnold — into such a dominant whole is rare.
—Pat Leonard, New York Daily News, 9 Feb. 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 14 Feb. 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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