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
But he’s seen as the North American anti-Trump: a cool, calm, and understated adult in the room.
—
Sara Miller Llana, Christian Science Monitor, 2 Apr. 2025
Unlike an upholstered bed frame or metal counterpart, the best wooden bed frames are the ideal foundation for a more neutral, earthy, and understated aesthetic.
—Nashia Baker, Architectural Digest, 2 Apr. 2025
Even with a bold alligator bag on her arm, Jennifer Lawrence managed to make her parents’ night out ’fit look understated.
—Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 4 Apr. 2025
These numbers surely understate the magnitudes of federal job loss, perhaps because many took severance pay or are appealing their discharges and view themselves as still employed.
—Harry Holzer, Forbes.com, 4 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for understate
Sara Miller Llana, Christian Science Monitor, 2 Apr. 2025
Unlike an upholstered bed frame or metal counterpart, the best wooden bed frames are the ideal foundation for a more neutral, earthy, and understated aesthetic.
—Nashia Baker, Architectural Digest, 2 Apr. 2025
Even with a bold alligator bag on her arm, Jennifer Lawrence managed to make her parents’ night out ’fit look understated.
—Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 4 Apr. 2025
These numbers surely understate the magnitudes of federal job loss, perhaps because many took severance pay or are appealing their discharges and view themselves as still employed.
—Harry Holzer, Forbes.com, 4 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for understate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for understate
Verb
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Here are recommendations for maintaining safety 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,
12 Apr. 2025
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In relationships, this dynamic plays out as toxic positivity — the tendency to dismiss or minimize distress in favor of maintaining an upbeat tone.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
12 Apr. 2025
Verb
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To describe the United States’ military interventions as mishandled, for example, is to criminally underplay their impact.—
Emma Ashford,
Foreign Affairs,
29 May 2020
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And David Rosenberg subtly underplays Alex, an American ex-pat who’s haunted by ghosts of his own.—
Pam Kragen,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
14 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Male police officers often dismissed these types of cases as private family matters, leaving women and children without much legal protection from their abusive husbands and fathers.—
Peter Zablocki,
Smithsonian Magazine,
13 Mar. 2025
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Some say the race was always going to be difficult to win due to inflation and criticism toward the party dismissing concerns about former President Joe Biden's age.—
Raja Krishnamoorthi,
Newsweek,
13 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Beginning in the 1960s, American food companies—some of which have been run by tobacco companies—engaged in nefarious corporate practices to create addictive products like sugary drinks, heavily market those products to the American public, and aggressively downplay their health harms.—
Ron Estes,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Mar. 2025
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Training rather than bravery In several interviews over the years, McCarthy has downplayed the notion that bravery had much to do with his actions.—
Mike Nolan,
Chicago Tribune,
30 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Understate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/understate. Accessed 21 Apr. 2025.
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