Synonyms

understate

American

[uhn-der-steyt] / ˌʌn dərˈsteɪt /

verb (used with object)

understated, understating

to state or represent less strongly or strikingly than the facts would bear out; set forth in restrained, moderate, or weak terms.

The casualty lists understate the extent of the disaster.

understate British

/ ˌʌndəˈsteɪt /

verb

to state (something) in restrained terms, often to obtain an ironic effect
to state that (something, such as a number) is less than it is

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

understatement noun

Etymology

Origin of understate

First recorded in 1815–25; under- + state

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

That may understate the value of capital gains for the wealthy.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 19, 2026

It is difficult to understate the importance of this shift.

From MarketWatch • Feb. 18, 2026

"I don't think anyone can understate the gravity of the situation," James Lyons told BBC Newsnight.

From BBC • Feb. 5, 2026

It’s hard to understate the impact of the transformational deal.

From Barron's • Jan. 13, 2026

Francis saw no reason to understate the power of the helical theory and within several minutes revealed the way Bessel functions gave neat answers.

From "Double Helix" by James D. Watson

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023