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.
was understating
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past progressiveof understate.past progressive
Used to describe an ongoing action or continuous state that was happening at a specific time in the past.
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 reporter suggested Daboll was understating Jones’s performance.
From Washington Post ● Jan. 15, 2023
He was also told that the Chinese government was understating the outbreak.
From Slate ● Aug. 9, 2020
"We cannot endanger our health system," Muscat said, adding that it was impossible to verify whether the information provided by the captain about the case was "understating or overstating" the patient's condition.
From US News ● Sep. 19, 2014
In one call with the Financial Services Authority, a Barclays manager acknowledged that the bank was understating its Libor submissions.
From New York Times ● Jul. 10, 2012
C. J. was understating the gravity of the situation.
From "The Hot Zone" by Richard Preston
