Pronunciations
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/ʌndəˈsteɪt/
Verb
To state (something) with less completeness than needed; to minimise or downplay.
Usage- Transitive
- Synonyms
- Antonyms
- Examples
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To call this decision a calculated bet understates the risk; it is a Hail Mary pass.
To state (something) with an intentional lack of emphasis, in order to express irony.
Usage- Transitive
- Examples
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She is the queen of understatement: she understated her critique masterfully.
To state a quantity that is too low.
- Synonyms
- Antonyms
- Examples
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The company had been understating its liabilities for years.
Verb
represent as less significant or important
- Antonyms
- Broader terms