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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Recent Examples of understate
But her outfit at Wimbledon proves that going for something understated is anything but boring.
—
Emma Mehl, Glamour, 10 July 2025
The last two years have served as an elongated — and somewhat understated — goodbye to basketball for Quigley.
—Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 10 July 2025
It's understated, lightweight, and comfortable, with excellent sleep tracking and health tips.
—Wired, Wired News, 8 July 2025
The presence of an emotionally mature partner is often understated, but the impact is anything but.
—Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 7 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for understate
Emma Mehl, Glamour, 10 July 2025
The last two years have served as an elongated — and somewhat understated — goodbye to basketball for Quigley.
—Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 10 July 2025
It's understated, lightweight, and comfortable, with excellent sleep tracking and health tips.
—Wired, Wired News, 8 July 2025
The presence of an emotionally mature partner is often understated, but the impact is anything but.
—Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 7 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for understate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for understate
Verb
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Here are tips on how to stay safe during a thunderstorm: To minimize risk of being struck by lightning, when going outside, have a plan to get to a safer place.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
19 July 2025
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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,
19 July 2025
Verb
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To say that there is no love lost between the two sides would be to underplay the depth of feeling here.—
Jack Lang,
New York Times,
9 June 2025
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The Takacs was already a fine quartet, with a lyrical, emotionally frank sensibility that rarely underplayed the character of a phrase.—
David Allen Chet Strange,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2025
Verb
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The felony charges were dismissed with prejudice, meaning they can't be refiled.—
Quinlan Bentley,
The Courier-Journal,
25 July 2025
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The felony charges against two CityBeat journalists, who were arrested while covering a protest on the John A. Roebling Bridge, have been dismissed.—
Quinlan Bentley,
The Enquirer,
24 July 2025
Verb
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White House spokesperson Taylor Rogers downplayed the episode in a statement to CNN.—
Lisa Respers France,
CNN Money,
25 July 2025
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The Fed staff downplayed the inscription as a joke.—
Christopher Rugaber,
Fortune,
24 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Understate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/understate. Accessed 30 Jul. 2025.
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