Understate
verb
To express something in a way that makes it seem less important, serious, or bad than it really is.
The report understates the amount of fraud in the company.
Often appears as...
- understate the problem
- understate the cost
verb
To express something in a way that makes it seem less important, serious, or bad than it really is.
The report understates the amount of fraud in the company.
Often appears as...
- understate the problem
- understate the cost
Definition 1 of 1
Pro Tip 1/3Understatement Impact
Using 'understate' can soften the blow of bad news or criticism by making it seem less severe.
By saying 'we're a bit behind schedule', the manager understated how late the project really was.
Pro Tip 2/3Subtle Understating
'Understate' is often used in contexts where subtly downplaying facts is strategically important.
During the negotiations, they understated their eagerness to seal the deal.
Pro Tip 3/3Not Always Negative
Understating can be positive, making compliments or achievements more humble and graceful.
He understated his role in the project, attributing success to the team.
Pro Tip 1/3Understatement Impact
Using 'understate' can soften the blow of bad news or criticism by making it seem less severe.
By saying 'we're a bit behind schedule', the manager understated how late the project really was.
Pro Tip 2/3Subtle Understating
'Understate' is often used in contexts where subtly downplaying facts is strategically important.
During the negotiations, they understated their eagerness to seal the deal.
Pro Tip 3/3Not Always Negative
Understating can be positive, making compliments or achievements more humble and graceful.
He understated his role in the project, attributing success to the team.
Pro Tip 1/3Understatement Impact
Using 'understate' can soften the blow of bad news or criticism by making it seem less severe.
By saying 'we're a bit behind schedule', the manager understated how late the project really was.
Pro Tip 2/3Subtle Understating
'Understate' is often used in contexts where subtly downplaying facts is strategically important.
During the negotiations, they understated their eagerness to seal the deal.
Pro Tip 3/3Not Always Negative
Understating can be positive, making compliments or achievements more humble and graceful.
He understated his role in the project, attributing success to the team.
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Video examples
We the People, and the...
that people have the ultimate influence over elected officials, because, after all, there is a general election, but only after the Lesters have had their way with the candidates who wish to run in the general election. And number two, obviously, this dependence upon the Lesters is going to produce a subtle, understated,
Video examples
Charles Limb: Building...
But I tell you, if we lost our hearing, if anyone here suddenly lost your hearing, you would want perfect hearing back. You wouldn't want decent hearing, you would want perfect hearing. Restoration of basic sensory function is critical. And I don't mean to understate how important it is to restore basic function.
Video examples
National Geographic...
that they'll retain that and they may not chew their face off, kinda thing. It could be very dangerous with these animals. I don't want to understate that. But, you know, she raises them, they follow her around the kitchen, she has him around her dog. And it's-- at this point where this whole process starts.
Video examples
What kids can teach...
All I had to do was ask, and if I truly believed that asking for help was a gift, then I should have been doing it more, right? Well, we don't always practice what we preach, but about two years ago, I was slapped with a big, fat reminder. To say that I was burned-out at the time was an understatement,
Video examples
Grand Canyon Adventure:...
I have a tendency, in part, because of what I do to look for the light in the world, I'm a photographer, I make films, I'm constantly looking for the bright side of things, I'd say I'm more optimistic. And Kevin, he sometimes thinks a little differently. - Yeah, that would be an understatement.
Video examples
Erik Brynjolfsson: The...
Worldwide incomes have grown at a faster rate in the past decade than ever in history. If anything, all these numbers actually understate our progress, because the new machine age is more about knowledge creation than just physical production. It's mind not matter, brain not brawn,
Video examples
Meru: Risk and...
because I'm his wife and his film-making partner but it's just... I wanted-- It was important for me to include the next clip that we're going to show because it was just an interesting and it wasn't included originally and I it spoke to the understatement of the culture, and
Video examples
The key to growth? Race...
even better worldwide incomes have grown at a faster rate in the past decade than ever in history if anything all these numbers actually understate our progress because the new machine age is more about knowledge creation than just
Video examples
Sled Dogs: More Than...
when you're on the sled and you're going and it's just quiet and you can just hear the dogs running and like the little clutter of the buckles and the clicks I think that's the most peaceful thing for me my understatement I'm 14
Video examples
Deborah Rhodes: A tool...
the entrenched world of mammography with a machine that was held together by duct tape. To say that we faced high doses of skepticism in those early years is just a huge understatement,
Video examples
We the People, and the...
that people have the ultimate influence over elected officials, because, after all, there is a general election, but only after the Lesters have had their way with the candidates who wish to run in the general election. And number two, obviously, this dependence upon the Lesters is going to produce a subtle, understated,
Video examples
Charles Limb: Building...
But I tell you, if we lost our hearing, if anyone here suddenly lost your hearing, you would want perfect hearing back. You wouldn't want decent hearing, you would want perfect hearing. Restoration of basic sensory function is critical. And I don't mean to understate how important it is to restore basic function.
Video examples
National Geographic...
that they'll retain that and they may not chew their face off, kinda thing. It could be very dangerous with these animals. I don't want to understate that. But, you know, she raises them, they follow her around the kitchen, she has him around her dog. And it's-- at this point where this whole process starts.
Video examples
What kids can teach...
All I had to do was ask, and if I truly believed that asking for help was a gift, then I should have been doing it more, right? Well, we don't always practice what we preach, but about two years ago, I was slapped with a big, fat reminder. To say that I was burned-out at the time was an understatement,
Video examples
Grand Canyon Adventure:...
I have a tendency, in part, because of what I do to look for the light in the world, I'm a photographer, I make films, I'm constantly looking for the bright side of things, I'd say I'm more optimistic. And Kevin, he sometimes thinks a little differently. - Yeah, that would be an understatement.
Video examples
Erik Brynjolfsson: The...
Worldwide incomes have grown at a faster rate in the past decade than ever in history. If anything, all these numbers actually understate our progress, because the new machine age is more about knowledge creation than just physical production. It's mind not matter, brain not brawn,
Video examples
Meru: Risk and...
because I'm his wife and his film-making partner but it's just... I wanted-- It was important for me to include the next clip that we're going to show because it was just an interesting and it wasn't included originally and I it spoke to the understatement of the culture, and
Video examples
The key to growth? Race...
even better worldwide incomes have grown at a faster rate in the past decade than ever in history if anything all these numbers actually understate our progress because the new machine age is more about knowledge creation than just
Video examples
Sled Dogs: More Than...
when you're on the sled and you're going and it's just quiet and you can just hear the dogs running and like the little clutter of the buckles and the clicks I think that's the most peaceful thing for me my understatement I'm 14
Video examples
Deborah Rhodes: A tool...
the entrenched world of mammography with a machine that was held together by duct tape. To say that we faced high doses of skepticism in those early years is just a huge understatement,
Example 1 of 10
Quote examples
Patrick Rothfuss
American Writer
I'm obsessive. That's the word for me. I obsess - perhaps to the point where it's moderately dysfunctional. I tend to put a book through about 100 revisions. If anything, that's an understatement. If there's another author out there who does this sort of revision, I would really like to meet him. Maybe we could form some sort of support group.
Quote examples
Katie McGrath
Irish Actress
It's not an understatement to say that I owe everything as an actor to 'Merlin.' It was pretty much my first job, and I didn't know what I was doing for many years on it. It wasn't until the third and fourth series - the fourth series especially - that I really found my feet with the character, and as an actress.
Quote examples
Jim Ross
American Entertainer
The black man's journey within the genre of grappling wasn't unlike the challenges their brethren faced in professional sports, entertainment and, most importantly, everyday life. To say it was challenging would be a massive understatement.
Quote examples
Meghan McCain
American Journalist
My favorite thing about my grandmother is her lust for life and how much she has shown me about living every day to the fullest. To say my grandmother has paved the way for me and so many women out there like me is an understatement.
Quote examples
Tom Holland
English Actor
Fan' is an understatement. I had the Spider-Man costume, I had bed sheets, toys, you name it. I've always had an argument with my best friend that Spider-Man was way better than Batman. I was a massive fan growing up.
Quote examples
Jim Rohn
American Businessman
Better understated than overstated. Let people be surprised that it was more than you promised and easier than you said.
Quote examples
Jamal Crawford
American Athlete
I have a T-shirt that says, 'Ball is life.' My wife says 'That's an understatement for you.
Quote examples
Nick Viall
American Actor
The importance of a tan and a haircut cannot be understated.
Quote examples
Gary Herbert
American Politician
The value of a loving family cannot be understated.
Quote examples
Eva Chen
Taiwanese Businesswoman
To say I like social media is an understatement.
Quote examples
Patrick Rothfuss
American Writer
I'm obsessive. That's the word for me. I obsess - perhaps to the point where it's moderately dysfunctional. I tend to put a book through about 100 revisions. If anything, that's an understatement. If there's another author out there who does this sort of revision, I would really like to meet him. Maybe we could form some sort of support group.
Quote examples
Katie McGrath
Irish Actress
It's not an understatement to say that I owe everything as an actor to 'Merlin.' It was pretty much my first job, and I didn't know what I was doing for many years on it. It wasn't until the third and fourth series - the fourth series especially - that I really found my feet with the character, and as an actress.
Quote examples
Jim Ross
American Entertainer
The black man's journey within the genre of grappling wasn't unlike the challenges their brethren faced in professional sports, entertainment and, most importantly, everyday life. To say it was challenging would be a massive understatement.
Quote examples
Meghan McCain
American Journalist
My favorite thing about my grandmother is her lust for life and how much she has shown me about living every day to the fullest. To say my grandmother has paved the way for me and so many women out there like me is an understatement.
Quote examples
Tom Holland
English Actor
Fan' is an understatement. I had the Spider-Man costume, I had bed sheets, toys, you name it. I've always had an argument with my best friend that Spider-Man was way better than Batman. I was a massive fan growing up.
Quote examples
Jim Rohn
American Businessman
Better understated than overstated. Let people be surprised that it was more than you promised and easier than you said.
Quote examples
Jamal Crawford
American Athlete
I have a T-shirt that says, 'Ball is life.' My wife says 'That's an understatement for you.
Quote examples
Nick Viall
American Actor
The importance of a tan and a haircut cannot be understated.
Quote examples
Gary Herbert
American Politician
The value of a loving family cannot be understated.
Quote examples
Eva Chen
Taiwanese Businesswoman
To say I like social media is an understatement.
Example 1 of 10
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