understate
verb
un·der·state
ˌən-dər-ˈstāt 
understated; understating; understates
1
: to represent as less than is the case
understate taxable income
2
: to state or present with restraint especially for effect
Examples of understate in a Sentence
He understated his taxable income.
She's trying to understate the issue.
Recent Examples on the Web
There is no understating the size and weight of the Panthers losing team captain Aleksander Barkov to season-ending knee surgery, the recovery time set at seven to nine months.
—
Miami Herald, 26 Oct. 2025
It was all suitably muted and understated.
—Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 25 Oct. 2025
The casual space and its furnishings are modern and understated, with a floor plan drenched in natural light thanks to windows on all sides.
—Audrey Lee, Architectural Digest, 24 Oct. 2025
Benet, whose role building the Catalonian giant into a major sports can’t be understated, would have known his post was under threat after Mediapro lost a long-standing contract to produce LaLiga soccer matches.
—Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 24 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for understate
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Miami Herald, 26 Oct. 2025
It was all suitably muted and understated.
—Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 25 Oct. 2025
The casual space and its furnishings are modern and understated, with a floor plan drenched in natural light thanks to windows on all sides.
—Audrey Lee, Architectural Digest, 24 Oct. 2025
Benet, whose role building the Catalonian giant into a major sports can’t be understated, would have known his post was under threat after Mediapro lost a long-standing contract to produce LaLiga soccer matches.
—Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 24 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for understate
Cite this Entry
“Understate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/understate. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
understate
verb
un·der·state
ˌən-dər-ˈstāt
1
: to represent as less than is the case
understate taxable income
2
: to state mildly especially on purpose
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