understate

American  

[uhn-der-steyt] / ˌʌn dərˈsteɪt /

verb (used with object)

understated, understating

1. 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.

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understate British  

/ ˌʌndəˈsteɪt /

verb

1. to state (something) in restrained terms, often to obtain an ironic effect

2. to state that (something, such as a number) is less than it is

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Other Word Forms

• understatement noun

Etymology

Origin of understate

First recorded in 1815–25; under- + state

Example Sentences

To say, the post went viral is to understate the interest it generated.

From MarketWatch

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

Related Words

• downplay
• lessen
• minimize
• underrate
• undervalue