understate
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un·der·state
(ŭn′dər-stāt′)tr.v. un·der·stat·ed, un·der·stat·ing, un·der·states
1. To state with less completeness or truth than seems warranted by the facts.
2. To express with restraint or lack of emphasis, especially ironically or for rhetorical effect.
3. To state (a quantity, for example) that is too low: understate corporate financial worth.
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
understate
(ˌʌndəˈsteɪt)vb
1. to state (something) in restrained terms, often to obtain an ironic effect
2. to state that (something, such as a number) is less than it is
Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014
un•der•state
(ˌʌn dərˈsteɪt)v.t. -stat•ed, -stat•ing.
to state or represent less strongly or strikingly than the facts would indicate; set forth in restrained terms.
[1815–25]
un•der•state•ment (ˌʌn dərˈsteɪt mənt, ˈʌn dərˌsteɪt-) n.
Random House Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.
understate
Past participle: understated
Gerund: understating
| Imperative |
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| understate |
| understate |
Collins English Verb Tables © HarperCollins Publishers 2011
ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:
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| Verb | 1. |  understate - represent as less significant or importantinform - impart knowledge of some fact, state or affairs, or event to; "I informed him of his rights" trivialise, trivialize - make trivial or insignificant; "Don't trivialize the seriousness of the issue!" exaggerate, hyperbolise, hyperbolize, overstate, amplify, magnify, overdraw - to enlarge beyond bounds or the truth; "tended to romanticize and exaggerate this `gracious Old South' imagery" |
Based on WordNet 3.0, Farlex clipart collection. © 2003-2012 Princeton University, Farlex Inc.
understate
verb play down, diminish, minimize, downgrade, talk down (informal), sell short (informal), soft-pedal (informal), underemphasize The government chooses to understate the increase in prices.
exaggerate, overstate, talk up (informal)
exaggerate, overstate, talk up (informal)
Collins Thesaurus of the English Language – Complete and Unabridged 2nd Edition. 2002 © HarperCollins Publishers 1995, 2002
Translations
يَصَرِّح بِشَكلٍ أقل مما يَجِب
minimalizovat
underdrive
vähätellä
draga úr
švelniau pavaizduotišvelnus pasakymas
nepateikt visunoklusēt
niedomówićniedookreślić
minimalizovať
küçümsemekolduğundan daha önemsiz göstermek
understate
[ˈʌndəˈsteɪt] VT1. (= underestimate) [+ rate, level, growth] → subestimar
these estimates understate the size of the problem → estos pronósticos subestiman las dimensiones del problema
these estimates understate the size of the problem → estos pronósticos subestiman las dimensiones del problema
2. (= underplay) → quitar importancia a
the authorities originally understated the disaster → las autoridades inicialmente quitaron importancia al desastre
to describe it as a triumph is to understate the orchestra's achievement → describirlo como un triunfo es no dar su merecida importancia a lo que ha logrado la orquesta
the authorities originally understated the disaster → las autoridades inicialmente quitaron importancia al desastre
to describe it as a triumph is to understate the orchestra's achievement → describirlo como un triunfo es no dar su merecida importancia a lo que ha logrado la orquesta
Collins Spanish Dictionary - Complete and Unabridged 8th Edition 2005 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1971, 1988 © HarperCollins Publishers 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 2000, 2003, 2005
Collins English/French Electronic Resource. © HarperCollins Publishers 2005
understate
Collins German Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged 7th Edition 2005. © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1980 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1997, 1999, 2004, 2005, 2007
Collins Italian Dictionary 1st Edition © HarperCollins Publishers 1995
understate
(andəˈsteit) verb to state less than the truth about (something). She has understated her difficulties.
ˌunderˈstatement nounIt's an understatement to say he's foolish – he's quite mad.
Kernerman English Multilingual Dictionary © 2006-2013 K Dictionaries Ltd.