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

While this approach simplifies planning, it can miss important differences in how inflation actually affects retiree budgets and may understate the real pressure on long-term purchasing power.

From MarketWatch • May 13, 2026

“I cannot understate the complexity and engineering involved in setting up the interiors for a head-of-state type airplane,” White said.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 1, 2026

In that sense, these adjustments may understate the effect of maintaining a given standard of consumption.

From Slate • Apr. 24, 2026

That may understate the value of capital gains for the wealthy.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 19, 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