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 Exact congressional spending on AI tools is unknown The figures almost certainly understate Congress’ total AI use. — Luke Fountain,emily Wilkins, CNBC, 3 Aug. 2026 But over the last 12 months, inflation has nearly kept pace with hourly wage gains — and that understates the extent of the problem because debt service costs are not included in the consumer price index. — ABC News, 1 Aug. 2026 Meanwhile, the official bond tally that’s hitting the market understates all the actual borrowing that’s going on to fund the AI boom. — Jason Ma, Fortune, 31 July 2026 One imagines someone who wants to feel—and appear—contemporary and stylish; the other imagines someone who wants to seem effortless and understated. — Madelyn Johnson, Literary Hub, 24 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for understate

Recent Examples of Synonyms for understate

Verb

The buffers that have minimized the disruption so far will hold for only so long and must be reinforced if the world is to endure future shocks.

— Jason Bordoff, Foreign Affairs, 14 Aug. 2026
Some formulas do even more than volumize—doubling as heat protectants or incorporating ingredients designed to help minimize damage.

— Iman Balagam, Vogue, 14 Aug. 2026

Definition of minimize

Verb

On the other hand, its artistic approach and wider story arc underplay the horror of WW1 combat.

— Matt Gardner, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026
In a lot of ways, Abrams’ underplay show at the storied club, billed as a free evening with the star, was more than just a celebration of her new album Daughter From Hell or practice for her upcoming tour.

— Maya Georgi, Rolling Stone, 15 July 2026

Definition of underplay

Verb

But by the time of his indictment, Lorch was in failing health and found incompetent to stand trial, and lawsuits against him and the church were dismissed due to statute of limitations issues.

— Luke Cyphers, Sportico.com, 13 Aug. 2026
The lawsuit was dismissed Monday without prejudice, meaning the case may be filed again.

— Riley Moser, CBS News, 12 Aug. 2026

Definition of dismiss

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 16 Aug. 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

zeugma

Popular in Grammar & Usage

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

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?

Popular in Wordplay

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

The Words of the Week - Aug. 14

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

Games & Quizzes