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

Explanation

One way to think about the verb understate is as the opposite of "exaggerate." If you want to make something seem smaller or less important than it really is, you're likely to understate it. If you don't want your grandmother to worry about you, you might be tempted to understate, or downplay, the trouble you've had finding a new job. Business owners might understate their financial problems when they're applying for a bank loan, and a new student might understate her experience speaking French so as not to embarrass her inept French teacher.

Example Sentences

But this might understate the true price because post-pandemic construction costs have risen faster than general CPI inflation.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 8, 2026

It is worth keeping in mind that Chinese authorities have been known to understate their actual accumulation, Skoyles noted.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 4, 2026

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

From BBC • Feb. 5, 2026

You can’t understate what is going to happen to productivity in this country.

From Barron's • Jan. 9, 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

Related Words

• downplay
• lessen
• minimize
• underrate
• undervalue