undersell

[uhn-der-sel]

verb (used with object)

undersold, underselling 

1. to sell more cheaply than.

2. to advertise with restraint; understate the merits of (something).

   By underselling his product, he let his hearers convince themselves of its importance.

3. to sell for less than the actual value.

undersell

/ ˌʌndəˈsɛl /

verb

1. to sell for less than the usual or expected price

2. (tr) to sell at a price lower than that of (another seller)

3. (tr) to advertise (merchandise) with moderation or restraint

Other Word Forms

• underseller noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of undersell¹

First recorded in 1615–25; under- + sell ¹

Example Sentences

“I don’t mean to undersell it, but I like that people are into it enough to want to put it on their piece too.”

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Other research finds women undersell themselves when they think men are watching, and therapists point out that plenty of men still see a partner’s career as a threat to their masculinity.

Read more on Salon

The most recent auction in May was not only undersold, but left an estimated $961 million of credits on the table, according to a report from the nonprofit Clean and Prosperous California.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

"Everyone starts off with the pace, but I think that really undersells Louis' value," he told Rugby Union Weekly.

Read more on BBC

Calling this a constitutional crisis undersells the catastrophic implications of the emergency.

Read more on Salon

Related Words

• deduct 
• diminish 
• knock off 
• mark down 
• modify