UNDERSTATE Synonyms: 39 Similar and Opposite Words

understate

verb

Definition of understate

as in to minimize

to say that (something) is smaller, less important, etc., than it really is He understated his taxable income. She's trying to understate the issue/problem.

Related Words

Relevance

Dissimilar Words

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of understate Venturini argued that the city’s population is understated because many students and seasonal workers spend most of the year in Venice without registering as residents. — ABC News, 3 July 2026 As the rescue effort stretched into a fifth day, frustration is growing among survivors and volunteers who accuse authorities of slowing aid deliveries, restricting civilian rescue efforts and understating the true scale of the tragedy. — Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 29 June 2026 As for another summer not too far in the distance — specifically, Los Angeles in 2028 — Lutkenhaus is typically understated. — Anna Lazarus Caplan, PEOPLE, 2 July 2026 The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects employment of top executives growing about 4% from 2024 to 2034, roughly the average for all occupations, but the headcount figure understates what is happening. — Sue Mysko, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for understate

Recent Examples of Synonyms for understate

Verb

To minimize risks during outdoor work, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) advises incorporating frequent rest breaks in shaded or air-conditioned areas.

— NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 4 July 2026
Keep all windows and doors closed so your pet cannot easily escape, and draw the shades to minimize the sound and flashes of light.

— Saman Shafiq, USA Today, 3 July 2026

Definition of minimize

Verb

In April, the Superior Court dismissed the three citations Hubbard received in May 2025 when no park ranger or city attorney appeared for the prosecution, his lawsuit states.

— Alex Wigglesworth, Los Angeles Times, 2 July 2026
Freeney did not dismiss the business side of the arrangement.

— Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 1 July 2026

Definition of dismiss

Verb

Streamers including Netflix have downplayed their interest in taking on solo ownership of the Emmys and the fact hat none of these companies has snapped up the rights so far is telling.

— Peter White, Deadline, 2 July 2026
Kevin Hassett, director of the White House's National Economic Council, downplayed Thursday's report, pointing to a positive trend for the labor market in previous months.

— Max Zahn, ABC News, 2 July 2026

Definition of downplay

Browse Nearby Words

understands

understate

understated

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Understate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/understate. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of understate

verb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on understate

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

perfunctory

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Commonly Misspelled Words

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

Popular in Wordplay

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

One-Word Oxymorons: Bittersweet, Spendthrift, and More

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

Games & Quizzes