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.
Related Words
Relevance
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of understate
This is not to understate what happened to Karen Read.
—
Howie Carr, Boston Herald, 26 Apr. 2026
Beans and Lentils Beans are perhaps the most rewarding yet understated application of all.
—Anne Wolf, Martha Stewart, 24 Apr. 2026
The service As the hospitality definition of quiet luxury, Aman’s service is exacting yet understated, respectful and personalized.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Apr. 2026
Yes, Reid is understating his profound influence over it all, whether that’s directly through frequent conversations with Veach or via what’s simply understood between them by now.
—Kansas City Star, 22 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for understate
Howie Carr, Boston Herald, 26 Apr. 2026
Beans and Lentils Beans are perhaps the most rewarding yet understated application of all.
—Anne Wolf, Martha Stewart, 24 Apr. 2026
The service As the hospitality definition of quiet luxury, Aman’s service is exacting yet understated, respectful and personalized.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Apr. 2026
Yes, Reid is understating his profound influence over it all, whether that’s directly through frequent conversations with Veach or via what’s simply understood between them by now.
—Kansas City Star, 22 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for understate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for understate
Verb
-
Additionally, with machines at an elevated height, transferring clothes becomes much easier, minimizing the need to bend over frequently.—
Mary Cornetta,
Better Homes & Gardens,
26 Apr. 2026
-
MacRumors thinks this could end up reducing the thickness of the iPhone’s display stack while improving brightness and minimizing power use.—
Will McCurdy,
PC Magazine,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
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
-
Sometimes the functional sibling learns to compensate or cover for the dysfunctional one, to underplay strengths or wear a mask.—
Christine Smallwood,
Harpers Magazine,
24 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
That lawsuit, along with a countersuit by the PGA Tour, was dismissed a year later.—
Tim Reynolds,
Chicago Tribune,
1 May 2026
-
There’s too much effort, too much time, and too much sincerity apparent behind this film to dismiss it outright.—
Alison Foreman,
IndieWire,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
To locals, Soviet leaders seemed to be downplaying the severity of the explosion.—
Lizzie Johnson,
New Yorker,
25 Apr. 2026
-
DeCosta downplayed the focus on size and said the team’s personnel staff is always looking for different types of players.—
Jeff Zrebiec,
New York Times,
25 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Understate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/understate. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
