underestimate
Americanverb (used with object)
verb (used without object)
noun
verb
-
to make too low an estimate of
he underestimated the cost
-
to think insufficiently highly of
to underestimate a person
noun
Usage
Underestimate is sometimes wrongly used where overestimate is meant: the importance of his work cannot be overestimated (not cannot be underestimated )
Other Word Forms
- underestimation noun
Etymology
Origin of underestimate
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.
“The resiliency of the U.S. economy should not be underestimated,” he said.
Japan may not be considered a global footballing powerhouse - but underestimate them at your peril.
From BBC
For Marvell, “that transition represents a catalyst that investors still appear to be materially underestimating.”
From Barron's
And his post did attract some negative responses alluding to that, and that he was underestimating the economic damage to be wrought by spiking energy costs.
From MarketWatch
"The industry is underestimating the geopolitical turmoil and geopolitical risk that's ahead," said Mark Brownstein, vice president of the Environmental Defense Fund.
From Barron's
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
