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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Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of understate
One of the best Lions wins in recent history
There’s no understating how massive this win was for Detroit.
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Colton Pouncy, The Athletic, 5 Jan. 2025
The danger extends beyond overlooking brilliant but understated leaders.
—Martin Gutmann, Orlando Sentinel, 4 Jan. 2025
Now, the Good News Yellowstone: The road to the second half of the Paramount Network hit was a bumpy one, to understate by a huge degree.
—Rick Porter, The Hollywood Reporter, 31 Dec. 2024
This conservative approach often understated the true value of crypto holdings on corporate balance sheets.
—Leeor Shimron, Forbes, 23 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for understate 
Colton Pouncy, The Athletic, 5 Jan. 2025
The danger extends beyond overlooking brilliant but understated leaders.
—Martin Gutmann, Orlando Sentinel, 4 Jan. 2025
Now, the Good News Yellowstone: The road to the second half of the Paramount Network hit was a bumpy one, to understate by a huge degree.
—Rick Porter, The Hollywood Reporter, 31 Dec. 2024
This conservative approach often understated the true value of crypto holdings on corporate balance sheets.
—Leeor Shimron, Forbes, 23 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for understate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for understate
Verb
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Patient recruitment, a common bottleneck, is significantly improved with AI, which analyzes eligibility criteria and patient demographics to quickly identify and assemble suitable participants, minimizing dropouts and delays.Ariel Katz, Forbes, 8 Jan. 2025
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Through its Predictive Models that anticipate market trends, UME Tech empowers businesses to adopt effective strategies but minimize marketing expenses.Kody Boye, USA TODAY, 8 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Gonski said that in addition to overstating certifiers’ responsibilities, Follow the Law’s messaging underplays the protections that already exist.Phoebe Petrovic, ProPublica, 30 Oct. 2024
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In this controversial Claire Denis work, her longtime themes of desire and survival are crystallized in a dead-eyed probe into understanding our most base impulses and the tension underplaying unsteady erotic connections.Rory Doherty, Vulture, 19 Sep. 2024
Verb
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She was dismissed in June 2024 after a run of seven games without a win.Asif Burhan, Forbes, 13 Jan. 2025
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Both cases were dismissed following Trump's reelection in November due to a longstanding Justice Department policy prohibiting the prosecution of a sitting president.Katherine Faulders, ABC News, 13 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Insiders have been downplaying the likelihood of Newcastle being busy on the incoming front for months and the window has matched those expectations.Chris Waugh, The Athletic, 14 Jan. 2025
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Climate change, which Trump has consistently downplayed and Newsom has sought to make a priority, is also seen as playing a role in the natural disaster playing out in Los Angeles.Julia Mueller, The Hill, 10 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near understate
Cite this Entry
“Understate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/understate. Accessed 18 Jan. 2025.
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