underestimate
verb
un·der·es·ti·mate
ˌən-dər-ˈe-stə-ˌmāt 
underestimated; underestimating; underestimates
1
: to estimate as being less than the actual size, quantity, or number
2
: to place too low a value on : underrate
Examples of underestimate in a Sentence
The city underestimated the cost of the new building.
The number of people in the crowd was underestimated by 5,000.
Never underestimate the importance of a good education.
Her talent has always been underestimated.
Recent Examples on the Web
Finally, organizations underestimate the hidden costs of talent turnover.
—
Dan Pontefract, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025
As simple as that: is McLaren underestimating Verstappen?
—Luke Smith, New York Times, 9 Apr. 2025
But advocates say as a result of that, budget officials underestimated the amount of money the organizations would need for this fiscal year.
—Olivia Olander, Chicago Tribune, 8 Apr. 2025
Ray Major, economist NO: Construction cost estimates by government agencies woefully underestimate the final cost of projects.
—Phillip Molnar, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for underestimate
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.
Dan Pontefract, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025
As simple as that: is McLaren underestimating Verstappen?
—Luke Smith, New York Times, 9 Apr. 2025
But advocates say as a result of that, budget officials underestimated the amount of money the organizations would need for this fiscal year.
—Olivia Olander, Chicago Tribune, 8 Apr. 2025
Ray Major, economist NO: Construction cost estimates by government agencies woefully underestimate the final cost of projects.
—Phillip Molnar, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for underestimate
Cite this Entry
“Underestimate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/underestimate. Accessed 16 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
underestimate
verb
un·der·es·ti·mate
ˌən-də-ˈres-tə-ˌmāt
1
: to estimate as being less than the actual size, quantity, or number
underestimate the cost of a new building
2
: to place too low a value on : underrate
underestimate an opponent
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share