as in to minimize
to say that (something) is smaller, less important, etc., than it really is
He understated his taxable income. She's trying to understate the issue/problem.
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Recent Examples of understate
And yet, the power of this kind of documentation—the kind that’s being performed by observers in Minnesota every day, who are risking their lives to film clashes between agents and protestors—that cannot be understated.
—
Charlie Warzel, The Atlantic, 30 Jan. 2026
With the Dolphins in search of a new identity under Sullivan and coach Jeff Hafley, the importance of the trenches cannot be understated.
—Miami Herald, 28 Jan. 2026
The state's comptroller, Thomas DiNapoli, said budget gaps were previously understated.
—Alexa Herrera, CBS News, 28 Jan. 2026
All three main actors deliver performances that are understated, but sneak up on you with their complexity.
—Wilson Chapman, IndieWire, 28 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for understate
Charlie Warzel, The Atlantic, 30 Jan. 2026
With the Dolphins in search of a new identity under Sullivan and coach Jeff Hafley, the importance of the trenches cannot be understated.
—Miami Herald, 28 Jan. 2026
The state's comptroller, Thomas DiNapoli, said budget gaps were previously understated.
—Alexa Herrera, CBS News, 28 Jan. 2026
All three main actors deliver performances that are understated, but sneak up on you with their complexity.
—Wilson Chapman, IndieWire, 28 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for understate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for understate
Verb
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The company says the trucks set an industry record by completing 200 battery swaps in a single day, highlighting the potential of its autonomous, battery-swapping technology to increase productivity and minimize downtime in large-scale mining operations.—
Bojan Stojkovski,
Interesting Engineering,
8 Feb. 2026
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In order to maximize speed and minimize the use of energy, especially with the additional weight of the rifle, freestyle technique efficiency is essential.—
Janet Loehrke,
USA Today,
8 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Eric McDaniel, a professor of history at the University of Texas at Austin, said the post diverged from the manner in which previous administrations have characterized papal disagreements, often underplaying dissent but stopping short of falsely implying agreement.—
Marc Ramirez,
USA Today,
21 Jan. 2026
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Japan’s Moment To Continue A moment is probably underplaying it a little.—
Jesse Whittock,
Deadline,
30 Dec. 2025
Verb
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After days of deliberations, the House justice committee voted to dismiss the impeachment complaints filed by left-wing activists and a lawyer against Marcos.—
JIM GOMEZ THE ASSOCIATED PRESS,
Arkansas Online,
5 Feb. 2026
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Saab denied the allegations and appealed to have the charges dismissed on grounds of diplomatic immunity.—
Landon Mion,
FOXNews.com,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
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When talk of protest or political conflict arose this week, Coventry tried to downplay it to keep the focus on the Games.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
7 Feb. 2026
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Yet, on Sunday, a Justice Department official downplayed the likelihood of any additional criminal charges.—
Claire Malon,
Chicago Tribune,
7 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Understate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/understate. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
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