underestimate
[ verb uhn-der-es-tuh-meyt; noun uhn-der-es-tuh-mit, -meyt ]
/ verb ˌʌn dərˈɛs təˌmeɪt; noun ˌʌn dərˈɛs tə mɪt, -ˌmeɪt /
verb (used with object), un·der·es·ti·mat·ed, un·der·es·ti·mat·ing.
to estimate at too low a value, rate, or the like.
verb (used without object), un·der·es·ti·mat·ed, un·der·es·ti·mat·ing.
to make an estimate lower than that which would be correct.
noun
an estimate that is too low.
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RELATED WORDS
belittle, undervalue, underrate, miscalculate, deprecate, slight, disesteem, miscarry, disparage, depreciate
Nearby words
- undereducate,
- underemphasis,
- underemphasize,
- underemployed,
- underendowed,
- underexpose,
- underexposed,
- underexposure,
- underfed,
- underfeed
Origin of underestimate
SYNONYMS FOR underestimate
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
Examples from the Web for underestimate
underestimate
/ (ˌʌndərˈɛstɪˌmeɪt) /
verb (tr)
to make too low an estimate ofhe underestimated the cost
to think insufficiently highly ofto underestimate a person
noun (ˌʌndərˈɛstɪmɪt)
too low an estimate
usage
Underestimate is sometimes wrongly used where overestimate is meant: the importance of his work cannot be overestimated (not cannot be underestimated)
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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