Synonyms

understated

American

[uhn-der-stey-tid] / ˌʌn dərˈsteɪ tɪd /

adjective

restrained in design, presentation, etc.; low-key.

the understated elegance of the house.

Other Word Forms

understatedness noun

Etymology

Origin of understated

First recorded in 1935–40; understate + -ed ²

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.

And while the tangy, aromatic gravy is often considered the show stealer, it would lose much of its charm in the absence of its understated partner.

From BBC

They suggest this likely means the benefits of tramadol are overstated while its harms are understated.

From Science Daily

Given that, the case against Hassett might be overstated, and his qualifications understated.

From The Wall Street Journal

Hammack said a favorable inflation reading for November released last week likely understated 12-month price growth due to data-collection distortions created by the government shutdown in October and the first half of November.

From The Wall Street Journal

Liza Prideaux agrees understated decorations are overrated and has embraced "nostalgic, vintage" decor at Christmas for the last two years.

From BBC

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