underestimate
verb
un·der·es·ti·mate
ˌən-dər-ˈe-stə-ˌmāt 
underestimated; underestimating; underestimates
1
: to estimate as being less than the actual size, quantity, or number
2
: to place too low a value on : underrate
Examples of underestimate in a Sentence
The city underestimated the cost of the new building.
The number of people in the crowd was underestimated by 5,000.
Never underestimate the importance of a good education.
Her talent has always been underestimated.
Recent Examples on the Web
This is not an issue of Ford underestimating demand, Gunsberg said.
—
Phoebe Wall Howard, Detroit Free Press, 21 June 2024
In response to requests for comment, representatives of the water utility and chemical manufacturing groups referred to statements alleging the EPA didn’t rely on the best available science and underestimated the cost of the rule.
—Pien Huang, NPR, 21 June 2024
Many students overestimated the price of grocery items but underestimated the cost of more expensive goods like laptops.
—Tyler Spence, The Indianapolis Star, 21 June 2024
Other researchers said the ice likely needs to be even thicker than that, meaning the study is probably underestimating the plight of the bears.
—Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 17 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for underestimate 
Phoebe Wall Howard, Detroit Free Press, 21 June 2024
In response to requests for comment, representatives of the water utility and chemical manufacturing groups referred to statements alleging the EPA didn’t rely on the best available science and underestimated the cost of the rule.
—Pien Huang, NPR, 21 June 2024
Many students overestimated the price of grocery items but underestimated the cost of more expensive goods like laptops.
—Tyler Spence, The Indianapolis Star, 21 June 2024
Other researchers said the ice likely needs to be even thicker than that, meaning the study is probably underestimating the plight of the bears.
—Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 17 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for underestimate
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'underestimate.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Underestimate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/underestimate. Accessed 2 Jul. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
underestimate
verb
un·der·es·ti·mate
ˌən-də-ˈres-tə-ˌmāt
1
: to estimate as being less than the actual size, quantity, or number
underestimate the cost of a new building
2
: to place too low a value on : underrate
underestimate an opponent
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