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
In 2026, these pants can feel relaxed and understated, as seen at Auralee, or completely over-the-top, sexy, and chaotic, per Dolce & Gabbana.
—
Marilú Almaguer, Glamour, 9 May 2026
The private credit market — now large enough to matter systemically — carries hidden stress that standard default metrics understate.
—Mayra Rodriguez Valladares, Forbes.com, 9 May 2026
The hotel’s 88 rooms, including 25 suites created by award-winning design studio Jaime Beriestain, are understated in ivory, dove gray, and the occasional dash of teal velvet, with Egyptian cotton bed linens and goose down comforters.
—Eddi Fiegel, Robb Report, 7 May 2026
The importance of wildfire preparedness cannot be understated.
—Lucas Robinson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for understate
Marilú Almaguer, Glamour, 9 May 2026
The private credit market — now large enough to matter systemically — carries hidden stress that standard default metrics understate.
—Mayra Rodriguez Valladares, Forbes.com, 9 May 2026
The hotel’s 88 rooms, including 25 suites created by award-winning design studio Jaime Beriestain, are understated in ivory, dove gray, and the occasional dash of teal velvet, with Egyptian cotton bed linens and goose down comforters.
—Eddi Fiegel, Robb Report, 7 May 2026
The importance of wildfire preparedness cannot be understated.
—Lucas Robinson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for understate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for understate
Verb
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But despite assurances that the impact on businesses has been minimized, some groups still worried that the AI bill — despite its sections on workforce development and increasing AI knowledge — will ultimately create new burdens for businesses that could hamper innovation efforts.—
P.R. Lockhart,
Hartford Courant,
17 May 2026
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While Peters’ doctor had minimized the possibility of measles, the principal was concerned.—
Mary Beth Sheridan,
CNN Money,
17 May 2026
Verb
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However, because the artists were not of Mexican descent, Chicano music histories often overlook or underplay this era.—
Oliver Wang,
Los Angeles Times,
4 May 2026
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Not to underplay the seriousness of the situation, of course, but the suspect never made it inside.—
Amber Harding OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The court recommended that the petition be dismissed, and that the organizations be given one month to submit the employee lists.—
Clayton Dalton,
New Yorker,
15 May 2026
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Even the foundations of today’s artificial intelligence boom were laid by the NSF in the 1980s and 1990s, when neural networks were a backwater dismissed by mainstream computer science.—
Gautam Mukunda,
Twin Cities,
14 May 2026
Verb
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By and large, Republicans were also reluctant to weigh in on Netanyahu’s proposal, and several downplayed the impact in interviews with the Washington Examiner.—
David Sivak,
The Washington Examiner,
16 May 2026
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Bob’s family regularly told him that, of course, but Bob always downplayed it.—
Zack Meisel,
New York Times,
16 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Understate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/understate. Accessed 20 May. 2026.
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