understate
Collocations
2VERB + UNDERSTATE
tend
UNDERSTATE + NOUN
things
Definitions
verb
To state (something) with less completeness than needed; to minimise or downplay.
To call this decision a calculated bet understates the risk; it is a Hail Mary pass.
To state (something) with an intentional lack of emphasis, in order to express irony.
She is the queen of understatement: she understated her critique masterfully.
To state a quantity that is too low.
The company had been understating its liabilities for years.
Thesaurus
Synonyms
verb — represent as less significant or important
- minimize
- minimise
- downplay
Antonyms
Idioms & Phrases
Example Bank
4To call this decision a calculated bet understates the risk; it is a Hail Mary pass.
WiktionaryShe is the queen of understatement: she understated her critique masterfully.
WiktionaryThe company had been understating its liabilities for years.
WiktionaryBrits tend to understate things.
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