understated
adjective
un·der·stat·ed
ˌən-dər-ˈstā-təd 
: avoiding obvious emphasis or embellishment
understated elegance
understatedly
adverb
Examples of understated in a Sentence
the actor's understated interpretation of the lead role is surprisingly compelling
Recent Examples on the Web
The shade is more understated than golden apricot, perfect for folks like me who typically brighten up for summer but want to get a little more playful by adding in some gentle red tones.
—
Leah Prinzivalli, Allure, 9 May 2025
Haliburton was more understated, praising the rest of his teammates.
—Ben Morse, CNN Money, 7 May 2025
And there’s no player on the roster whose role is more understated than Janmark’s.
—Daniel Nugent-Bowman, New York Times, 30 Apr. 2025
The Chedi Al Bait hotel, in Sharjah, a United Arab Emirate, is so understated that it is barely marked on the road that runs along Sharjah Creek.
—Catherine Fairweather, Air Mail, 5 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for understated
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.
Leah Prinzivalli, Allure, 9 May 2025
Haliburton was more understated, praising the rest of his teammates.
—Ben Morse, CNN Money, 7 May 2025
And there’s no player on the roster whose role is more understated than Janmark’s.
—Daniel Nugent-Bowman, New York Times, 30 Apr. 2025
The Chedi Al Bait hotel, in Sharjah, a United Arab Emirate, is so understated that it is barely marked on the road that runs along Sharjah Creek.
—Catherine Fairweather, Air Mail, 5 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for understated
Cite this Entry
“Understated.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/understated. Accessed 2 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
understated
adjective
un·der·stat·ed
ˌən-dər-ˈstāt-əd
: expressed or done in a quiet or simple fashion
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share