Underestimating: meaning, definitions and examples
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underestimating
[ˌʌndərˈɛstɪmeɪtɪŋ ]
Definition
in relationships
To underestimate someone is to fail to acknowledge their true abilities or qualities, often leading to unfair treatment or lack of recognition.
Synonyms
disregard, downplay, minimize, undervalue.
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| underestimating |
Used when someone does not fully appreciate the true extent, size, or value of something or someone.
|
| disregard |
Used when someone shows a lack of attention or respect towards something or someone, often implying negligence or indifference. This term often has a negative connotation.
|
| downplay |
Used when someone tries to make something seem less important, serious, or significant than it actually is.
|
| minimize |
Used when someone tries to reduce the importance, size, or impact of something. This can be used in both positive and negative contexts.
|
Examples of usage
- He is constantly underestimating his girlfriend's intelligence.
- She felt frustrated by her boss underestimating her skills.
- Don't underestimate him just because of his age.
- The team was underestimated by their opponents, but they proved everyone wrong.
- I think you're underestimating the impact of your words on her.
Interesting Facts
Psychology
- Humans often underestimate their own abilities due to a lack of confidence, leading to missed opportunities.
- The Dunning-Kruger effect describes how people with low ability in an area may grossly misjudge their competence, often overestimating it instead.
- When judging others, people tend to misjudge the skills of those who are different from them, often leading to underestimating someone else's experience.
Education
- Students frequently underestimate their own potential, which can negatively impact their performance and motivation.
- Teachers may mistakenly believe that students from disadvantaged backgrounds are less capable, affecting their expectations and support.
- Growth mindset theory encourages individuals to recognize and challenge their own underestimations, promoting resilience and learning.
Business
- In the business world, underestimating competitors can lead to significant losses and market share decline.
- Market research often reflects underestimations of consumer preferences, impacting product development and marketing strategies.
- Teams may underestimate project timelines, resulting in missed deadlines and budget overruns.
Pop Culture
- Numerous movies feature characters who are underestimated by others, only to reveal surprising talents or intelligence, adding to dramatic tension.
- Famous historical figures, like Albert Einstein or Oprah Winfrey, were often underestimated in their early careers but ultimately changed the world.
- In sports, underestimating an underdog team can lead to unexpected victories and thrilling narratives.
Literature
- Classic literature often explores themes of underestimation, where characters reveal hidden strengths, like in 'The Little Engine That Could'.
- In Shakespeare’s works, many characters face underestimation by others, which leads to pivotal plot developments.
- Many authors use unreliable narrators to create tension, making readers question what is real and who is truly capable.
Translations
Translations of the word "underestimating" in other languages:
🇵🇹 subestimando
🇮🇳 कम आंकना
🇩🇪 unterschätzen
🇮🇩 meremehkan
🇺🇦 недооцінюючи
🇵🇱 niedocenianie
🇯🇵 過小評価する
🇫🇷 sous-estimer
🇪🇸 subestimando
🇹🇷 küçümsemek
🇰🇷 과소평가
🇸🇦 يقلل من شأن
🇨🇿 podceňování
🇸🇰 podceňovanie
🇨🇳 低估
🇸🇮 podcenjevanje
🇮🇸 vanmeta
🇰🇿 кемсіту
🇬🇪 დაკლებად შეფასება
🇦🇿 az qiymətləndirmə
🇲🇽 subestimando