understate
verb (used with object)
to state or represent less strongly or strikingly than the facts would bear out; set forth in restrained, moderate, or weak terms.
understating
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present participleof understate.present participle
A verb form that is used in progressive verb constructions and may also function as a modifier or a gerund.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
A U.K. parliamentary inquiry concluded that the government mis-sold loans to students for over a decade by understating their eventual costs.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 19, 2026
SoFi Technologies shares rose 1.4% to $17.61 after short-seller Muddy Waters accused the company of understating debt.
From Barron's ● Mar. 18, 2026
U.S. accounting rules for intangible assets have been subject to criticism for potentially understating their true value or sometimes excluding some internally developed assets entirely.
From MarketWatch ● Mar. 18, 2026
"If I said it felt like getting hit with a sledgehammer, I'd be understating it," Steutel told BBC Sport, describing the moment he found out about the ban.
From BBC ● Nov. 27, 2025
In a tone that suggested she was understating things greatly, she told Dill that he’d be able to buy a few textbooks with the royalties.
From "The Serpent King" by Jeff Zentner
