Understate: meaning, definitions and examples

Used when you intentionally make something seem less important or serious than it really is, often modestly.

• He understated his role in the project, giving credit to his team instead.
• The news report understated the dangers of the hurricane.

Used when you purposefully try to reduce or limit the importance or size of something.

• He minimized the achievements of his competitor.
• In her speech, she tried to minimize the issue to avoid panic.

Used to make something seem less important than it actually is, often to avoid worry or attention.

• She tried to downplay the risks during the presentation.
• The company spokesperson attempted to downplay the severity of the data breach.

Typically used in financial or value context when someone talks about the decrease in value of an asset over time.

• The value of the car will depreciate by 20% in the first year.
• As soon as you drive a new car off the lot, it begins to depreciate.

Refers to making something seem less significant or smaller in size or degree, often unintentionally.

• The medicine helped to diminish her pain.
• His influence in the company has diminished over the years.

Use this when you want to describe a situation or a detail in a way that makes it seem less important or severe than it really is. Often used in formal or neutral contexts.

• She chose to understate her accomplishments during the interview.

This word is used when someone wants to make something or someone seem less valuable or important. It has a negative connotation and can often be considered offensive or diminishing.

• He tends to belittle his colleagues' ideas in meetings.

Use this when discussing the reduction or alleviation of the severity, seriousness, or painfulness of something. It's often used in formal settings, such as legal or medical contexts.

• We need to take steps to mitigate the effects of climate change.

This word is used to make something seem less important or less significant, usually in an informal context. It can be used to keep things from seeming too dramatic or worrisome.

• He tried to play down the risks involved in the investment.

Use this expression when you want to downplay or reduce the importance of something, particularly in political, marketing, or public relations contexts. It is slightly informal and often used when discussing delicate issues.

• The spokesperson soft-pedaled the company's financial troubles.