understatement

noun

un·​der·​state·​ment ˌən-dər-ˈstāt-mənt How to pronounce understatement (audio)
plural understatements
1
: a statement that represents something as smaller or less intense, or less important than it really is : a statement that understates something
To say that I was surprised by this outcome would be an understatement. I was completely blindsided ….Russ Becker
It is an understatement to say that the Internet has made life far more convenient for staggeringly many people.Cass R. Sunstein
also : the act of understating something or the practice of making such statements
understatement of population growth
To say Britain isn't good at coping with snow would be to exercise British understatement. Catherine Mayer
We have been taught to value terseness and understatementIrving Howe
2
: the avoidance of obvious emphasis or embellishment : an understated condition, appearance, etc.
Sure, glamour is still the operative word regarding fashion, but where flamboyance once ruled, there is now understatement and classic elegance.Premiere
He capitalizes on his reputation for understatement by saving huge sonorities for significant occasions; as a result, his rare musical outbursts seem not so much theatrical as visceral, as if they were blows sustained in real time.Alex Ross

Examples of understatement in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
To say his life started humbly would be an understatement. Lee Habeeb, Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2024 Calling The Ruby a gem in the brunch game would be an understatement as the kitchen skillfully delivers on a creative cast of bennies including a version featuring Ruby’s sister restaurant’s barbecued pulled pork. Leslie Kelly, Forbes, 2 Nov. 2024 To say the move shocked Paltrow would be an understatement. EW.com, 1 Nov. 2024 To say that Peter Gallagher is protective over Mischa Barton is an understatement. Julia Moore, People.com, 29 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for understatement 

Word History

First Known Use

1799, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of understatement was in 1799

Dictionary Entries Near understatement

Cite this Entry

“Understatement.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/understatement. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.

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