understate

Verb

1. To state (something) with less completeness than needed; to minimise or downplay.
   • To call this decision a calculated bet understates the risk; it is a Hail Mary pass.

   Synonyms: downplay trivialize bagatellize banalize belittle cut down de-emphasize denigrate degrade deprecate derogate disparage dispraise lilliputianize make little of make nothing of minimize play down set at nought superficialize underestimate underplay understate vilipend

   Antonyms: overstate exaggerate big up cut it fat hyperbolize overcharge overdo overemphasize play up stretch three-sheet

2. To state (something) with an intentional lack of emphasis, in order to express irony.
   • She is the queen of understatement: she understated her critique masterfully.
3. To state a quantity that is too low.
   • The company had been understating its liabilities for years.

   Synonyms: underrate misunderestimate sell short underapproximate underestimate underguess underjudge underreckon understate

   Antonyms: overstate overapproximate overestimate overhold overrate overreckon overthink

   Coordinate Terms: underestimate