understate

verb
UK: /ˌʌndəˈsteɪt/
US: /ˌʌndərˈsteɪt/

  1. To describe something as less important, serious, or bad than it really is.

    1. He tends to understate the risks involved in extreme sports
    2. To say their marriage was difficult would understate the level of dysfunctionality they had.

  2. To present or express something in a restrained or subtle way, often for ironic effect.

    1. She may understate her accomplishments, but she's very proud.
    2. The comedian's ability to understate the obvious made his routines particularly funny.

Synonyms

downplay de-emphasize belittle minimize underestimate soft-pedal underrate
understate noun

  1. A statement that describes something as less important, serious, or bad than it really is.

    1. That's an understate about his skills.
    2. Saying it was 'a bit cold' is an understate; it was freezing outside all day and night.

Frequently Asked Questions

The word "understate" in English means: To describe something as less important, serious, or bad than it really is., To present or express something in a restrained or subtle way, often for ironic effect..

The phonetic transcription of "understate" is /ˌʌndəˈsteɪt/ in British English and /ˌʌndərˈsteɪt/ in American English. Click the 🔊 button to hear both pronunciations.

Synonyms for "understate": downplay, de-emphasize, belittle, minimize, underestimate, soft-pedal, underrate.

Example usage of "understate": "He tends to understate the risks involved in extreme sports". More examples on the page.