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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of understate
Bridgewater Associates founder and billionaire Ray Dalio warned that the U.S.’s lower sovereign credit rating understates the threat to U.S. Treasurys, saying the credit agency isn’t taking into account the risk of the federal government simply printing money to pay its debt.
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Nur Hikmah Md Ali, CNBC, 20 May 2025
German government debt levels are understated relative to reality.
—Bill Stone, Forbes.com, 25 May 2025
The tremendous amount of work that lies ahead for the City, including MPD, cannot be understated.
—Chelsea Bailey, CNN Money, 21 May 2025
Conclusion In an era marked by global economic uncertainties and challenging market dynamics, the power of market-agnostic software—bolstered by intelligent AI and driven by clear, outcome-centric metrics—cannot be understated.
—Rafael Flores, Forbes.com, 21 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for understate
Nur Hikmah Md Ali, CNBC, 20 May 2025
German government debt levels are understated relative to reality.
—Bill Stone, Forbes.com, 25 May 2025
The tremendous amount of work that lies ahead for the City, including MPD, cannot be understated.
—Chelsea Bailey, CNN Money, 21 May 2025
Conclusion In an era marked by global economic uncertainties and challenging market dynamics, the power of market-agnostic software—bolstered by intelligent AI and driven by clear, outcome-centric metrics—cannot be understated.
—Rafael Flores, Forbes.com, 21 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for understate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for understate
Verb
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Here are tips on how to stay safe during a thunderstorm: To minimize risk of being struck by lightning, when going outside, have a plan to get to a safer place.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
14 June 2025
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Water deeply early in the day and avoid overhead watering to allow foliage to dry before nightfall to minimize fungal diseases.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
Southern Living,
13 June 2025
Verb
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The Takacs was already a fine quartet, with a lyrical, emotionally frank sensibility that rarely underplayed the character of a phrase.—
David Allen Chet Strange,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2025
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But his performance as the coldly confident Conway is still an excellent part of the world Scorsese constructs, and De Niro underplays to excellent effects.—
Wilson Chapman,
IndieWire,
24 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Congressional Republicans, many of whom had also grown annoyed with Musk over the last few months, have largely dismissed the billionaire’s fiery opposition to the bill.—
Phil Mattingly,
CNN Money,
6 June 2025
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For example, recent reports about the potential for automotive production to be curtailed due to rare earth mineral shortages should not be dismissed.—
Zev Fima,
CNBC,
6 June 2025
Verb
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Ongoing Challenges And Customer Expectations To its credit, SAP did not downplay the ongoing hurdles that its customers face.—
Robert Kramer,
Forbes.com,
6 June 2025
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As recently widowed Irene Chao, Liu trades her signature strut for a self-effacing shuffle, using makeup not to accentuate her beauty but to downplay it.—
Peter Debruge,
Variety,
6 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Understate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/understate. Accessed 17 Jun. 2025.
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