Underestimation: meaning, definitions and examples

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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.