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.

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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 Shimmery Gradient Who says fall colors have to be understated? — Amanda Le, InStyle, 16 Oct. 2026 The real ones know that the best Chelsea boots make an outfit look understated, elegant, and edgy all at once. — Catie Pusateri, Glamour, 12 Oct. 2026 But for decades, because of his ethnicity, Tenzing’s role in the mission was understated by history; he was treated as Hillary’s noble assistant. — Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 10 Oct. 2026 Because accommodations are billed separately, the advertised figure understates the full cost of the stay. — Ashley Lynch, Sacbee.com, 5 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for understate

Recent Examples of Synonyms for understate

Verb

The frack happening beneath us was about half as deep as Mount Everest is high, in a section of oil-rich rock that used to be considered out of reach; other innovations allow for simultaneous fracks, minimizing downtime.

— Tim McDonnell, semafor.com, 22 Oct. 2026
Eco effort As a camp that focuses on conservation, minimizing environmental impact is the cornerstone of the Wilderness Desert Rhino ethos.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of minimize

Verb

Ben-Gvir dismisses concerns that such policies would cement Israel’s status as a pariah state.

— Eric Cortellessa, Time, 22 Oct. 2026
Lower courts had dismissed the case because Asian American students were not underrepresented at the magnet schools compared with the pool of students that applied.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of dismiss

Verb

Yet, the complaint says, both downplayed their firsthand knowledge of the laptop or involvement in investigations during 2023 congressional testimony.

— Eric Tucker, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2026
One of the proposal's drafters, Darien Shanske, a law professor at UC Davis, downplays reports of wealthy Californians relocating in anticipation of the measure.

— Trevor Laurence Jockims, CNBC, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of downplay

Browse Nearby Words

understands

understate

understated

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Style

“Understate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/understate. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of understate

verb

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