understate
verb
un·der·state
ˌən-dər-ˈstāt 
understated; understating; understates
1
: to represent as less than is the case
understate taxable income
2
: to state or present with restraint especially for effect
Examples of understate in a Sentence
He understated his taxable income.
She's trying to understate the issue.
Recent Examples on the Web
With the arrival of pitchers and catchers, one of the coldest and miserly baseball offseasons in memory is nearing conclusion, and it can’t be understated that, other than the Dodgers, Yankees and Mets (on one player), hardly any team spent any money.
—
Bill Madden, New York Daily News, 15 Feb. 2025
The history of the moment can also not be understated, with Obama not only serving as the first Black president, but also entering the office at a time when the global financial system was on the verge of collapse.
—Harrison Richlin, IndieWire, 15 Feb. 2025
But these estimates of the direct effects understate what the total effects are likely to be after accounting for the likely secondary effects.
—Ray Dalio, TIME, 13 Feb. 2025
The ambience at here is understated and elegant, and the staff's enthusiasm for the menu is genuine and infectious.
—Carissa & Dino Tozzi, Travel + Leisure, 10 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for understate 
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Bill Madden, New York Daily News, 15 Feb. 2025
The history of the moment can also not be understated, with Obama not only serving as the first Black president, but also entering the office at a time when the global financial system was on the verge of collapse.
—Harrison Richlin, IndieWire, 15 Feb. 2025
But these estimates of the direct effects understate what the total effects are likely to be after accounting for the likely secondary effects.
—Ray Dalio, TIME, 13 Feb. 2025
The ambience at here is understated and elegant, and the staff's enthusiasm for the menu is genuine and infectious.
—Carissa & Dino Tozzi, Travel + Leisure, 10 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for understate
Dictionary Entries Near understate
Cite this Entry
“Understate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/understate. Accessed 18 Feb. 2025.
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understate
verb
un·der·state
ˌən-dər-ˈstāt
1
: to represent as less than is the case
understate taxable income
2
: to state mildly especially on purpose
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