Understate: meaning, definitions and examples

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understate

[ ˌʌndərˈsteɪt ]

^{Context #1}

in conversation

To represent or describe (something) as being smaller, less important, or less serious than it really is.

Synonyms

depreciate, diminish, downplay, minimize

Examples of usage

He understated the problem to avoid causing panic.
She tends to understate her achievements.
Don't understate the impact of your actions.
The company deliberately understated their profits.

^{Context #2}

in writing

To present or portray (something) as being less impressive or important than it really is.

Synonyms

belittle, mitigate, play down, soft-pedal

Examples of usage

The author chose to understate the emotional depth of the characters.
The article understated the significance of the discovery.
It's important not to understate the challenges ahead.

Translations

Translations of the word "understate" in other languages:

🇵🇹 minimizar

🇮🇳 कम करके दिखाना

🇩🇪 untertreiben

🇮🇩 meremehkan

🇺🇦 применшувати

🇵🇱 umniejszać

🇯🇵 控えめに言う

🇫🇷 minimiser

🇪🇸 subestimar

🇹🇷 küçümsemek

🇰🇷 축소하다

🇸🇦 يقلل من شأن

🇨🇿 zlehčovat

🇸🇰 zľahčovať

🇨🇳 低估

🇸🇮 podcenjevati

🇮🇸 vanmeta

🇰🇿 кемсіту

🇬🇪 შეფასების შემცირება

🇦🇿 kiçiltmək

🇲🇽 subestimar

Word origin

The word 'understate' originated in the early 19th century, combining 'under-' as a prefix indicating insufficiently or inadequately, and 'state' meaning to express something definitely or clearly. It has been used to describe the act of downplaying or diminishing the importance or seriousness of something.