understated 1 of 2

adjective

ˌən-dər-ˈstā-təd How to pronounce understated (audio)
Definition of understatednext
as in muted
not excessively showy the actor's understated interpretation of the lead role is surprisingly compelling

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

understated

2 of 2

verb

past tense of understate
as in minimized
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

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 understated
Adjective
The understated luxury of the spacious and well-appointed accommodations creates a relaxing and elegant ambiance. — Wendy Altschuler, Travel + Leisure, 2 Aug. 2026 Its understated nature is why the surf town has been beloved by locals for decades. — Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 31 July 2026
Verb
Rodríguez has rejected suggestions that authorities understated the disaster, saying the government releases only casualty figures that have been fully verified and would not speculate about the final toll. — Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 23 July 2026 The earthy color palette grounds the design in something surprisingly neutral, though guests won’t confuse your aesthetic as understated. — Nora Taylor, Architectural Digest, 23 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for understated
Recent Examples of Synonyms for understated
  1. muted
  2. minimized
  3. quiet
  4. dismissed
  5. subdued
  6. downplayed
  7. restrained
  8. simple
Adjective
  • Think clean lines, muted colors, original artwork, and skylights in some rooms.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Aug. 2026
  • Fans, however, have wondered why marketing for the game has felt pretty muted outside of two trailers just over four months before launch.
    — Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of muted
Verb
  • Without getting into specifics, Robins minimized the potential impact of the CFTC’s rules on DraftKings’ market making business in an interview with Sportico on Friday morning.
    — Dan Bernstein, Sportico.com, 7 Aug. 2026
  • The possibility of insider trading, Kalshi argues, will be minimized by company safeguards verifying employment and tools to surveil for unusual market activity.
    — Bobby Allyn, NPR, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of minimized
Adjective
  • Meanwhile, Mercury in your private 12th house sextiles Venus in your 2nd House of Resources, supporting quiet decisions around money, self-worth, and peace.
    — Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 13 Aug. 2026
  • Mauro Mueller’s film is a quiet, poignant drama about loss, memory and the power of human closeness.
    — Leo Barraclough, Variety, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of quiet
Verb
  • Critics dismissed the elections, which were held in December and January, as a sham designed to consolidate the military’s grip on power while ostensibly restoring civilian rule.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 9 Aug. 2026
  • Comey’s lawyers are pressing to have the case dismissed, accusing the department of misleading judges, submitting documents containing false statements and withholding key facts.
    — Alanna Durkin Richer, Fortune, 8 Aug. 2026
Definition of dismissed
Adjective
  • However, daylight will feel very subdued with a noticeable dimming.
    — Jamie Carter, Space.com, 7 Aug. 2026
  • The second slide shows daughter Taylor, 15, and son Brayden, 10, smiling in front of a subdued sunset.
    — Colson Thayer, PEOPLE, 5 Aug. 2026
Definition of subdued
Verb
  • But the department downplayed critics' concerns about adverse effects.
    — Rachel Treisman, NPR, 6 Aug. 2026
  • Reports of their interest in Porto goalkeeper Diogo Costa have been downplayed.
    — Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 5 Aug. 2026
Definition of downplayed
Adjective
  • Sebastian Stan and Renate Reinsve give superbly restrained performances as a married couple who have immigrated from Romania to a small seaside town in Norway with their four children.
    — Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 11 Aug. 2026
  • The Sydney penthouse, measuring in at just under 9,700 square feet, takes a restrained approach while still feeling sumptuous, thanks to interiors that pair custom pieces with luxe materials.
    — Tori Latham, Robb Report, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of restrained
Adjective
  • The task seemed like a simple one for a digital agent, as the booking form was online.
    — Beatrice Nolan, Fortune, 11 Aug. 2026
  • Mungiu refuses to supply easy answers or simple paths to identification in this compelling provocation, which poses unresolvable questions to viewers about our biases and presumptions.
    — Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of simple

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understate
understated
understatement
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Cite this Entry

“Understated.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/understated. Accessed 13 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of understated for Spanish Speakers

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