Underestimation: meaning, definitions and examples

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underestimation

 

[ ˌʌndərˌɛstɪˈmeɪʃən ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

in a competition

Underestimation is the act of estimating something as being less important, powerful, or effective than it actually is.

Synonyms

underestimating, underestimating, undervaluation.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
underestimation

This word is often used in situations where someone has made a wrongful judgment about the size, amount, or value of something, usually leading to unexpected outcomes.

  • The underestimation of the project's complexity caused delays in its completion.
  • Their underestimation of the competition led to their defeat.
undervaluation

This word is usually utilized in financial or economic contexts when something is given a value lower than its worth, often leading to financial losses or missed opportunities.

  • The stock's undervaluation led investors to buy in large quantities.
  • There was an undervaluation of the property, meaning it sold for less than its market value.
underestimating

Used to describe the action of making an incorrect judgment about someone's abilities, efforts, or the difficulty of a task, often leading to an underprepared state.

  • By underestimating his opponent, he put himself at a disadvantage.
  • She realized she was underestimating how much work was required to finish the assignment.

Examples of usage

  • The team's underestimation of their opponents led to their defeat.
  • Her underestimation of his abilities cost her the job.
Context #2 | Noun

in a project

Underestimation is the action or habit of estimating something as being less than it really is.

Synonyms

underestimating, underrating.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
underestimation

Use 'underestimation' when referring to the act of assessing someone or something as less important, effective, or capable than they actually are. It often implies a failure to recognize true value or potential.

  • The underestimation of the team's abilities led to their unexpected victory.
  • Her consistent underestimation of the risks involved eventually led to a significant problem.
underestimating

Use 'underestimating' to describe the ongoing action of judging someone or something to be less important or capable than they really are. This often implies a continuous or current evaluation.

  • He keeps underestimating how difficult the task is.
  • Underestimating the competition can result in serious setbacks.
underrating

Underrating tends to imply a persistent or systematic undervaluation, often within the context of reputations, abilities, or quality. It can sometimes carry a more casual or generalized connotation than 'underestimation'.

  • The movie is very underrated despite its excellent reviews.
  • His talents have long been underrated by his peers.

Examples of usage

  • The underestimation of the project's complexity led to delays and budget overruns.
  • His constant underestimation of the time required for tasks caused frustration among the team.

Translations

Translations of the word "underestimation" in other languages:

🇵🇹 subestimação

🇮🇳 अवमूल्यन

🇩🇪 Unterschätzung

🇮🇩 meremehkan

🇺🇦 недооцінка

🇵🇱 niedocenienie

🇯🇵 過小評価 (kashou hyouka)

🇫🇷 sous-estimation

🇪🇸 subestimación

🇹🇷 küçümseme

🇰🇷 과소평가 (gwaseopyeongga)

🇸🇦 تقدير منخفض (taqdir munkhafid)

🇨🇿 podceňování

🇸🇰 podceňovanie

🇨🇳 低估 (dīgū)

🇸🇮 podcenjevanje

🇮🇸 vanmat

🇰🇿 бағалаудың төмендігі (bağalaudıñ tömendigi)

🇬🇪 დაუფასებლობა (daufasebloba)

🇦🇿 qiymətləndirməmə

🇲🇽 subestimación

Etymology

The word 'underestimation' originated from the verb 'underestimate,' which first appeared in English in the early 19th century. The prefix 'under-' conveys the idea of 'less than,' while 'estimate' refers to forming a judgment or opinion about something. The concept of underestimation has been prevalent throughout history, leading to various consequences in different contexts.

See also: estimate, estimated, estimates, estimating, estimation, estimations, estimator, inestimable, misestimation, overestimate, overestimated, overestimation, underestimate, underestimated, underestimating.

Word Frequency Rank

At rank #25,758, this word represents specialized academic or technical vocabulary. It's less frequently encountered but may be valuable in specific contexts.