understate

[ uhn-der-steyt ]
/ ˌʌn dərˈsteɪt /

verb (used with object), un·der·stat·ed, un·der·stat·ing.

to state or represent less strongly or strikingly than the facts would bear out; set forth in restrained, moderate, or weak terms: The casualty lists understate the extent of the disaster.

Origin of understate

First recorded in 1815–25; under- + state

OTHER WORDS FROM understate

un·der·state·ment [uhn-der-steyt-muh nt, uhn-der-steyt-] /ˌʌn dərˈsteɪt mənt, ˈʌn dərˌsteɪt-/, noun

Example sentences from the Web for understate

British Dictionary definitions for understate

understate
/ (ˌʌndəˈsteɪt) /

verb

to state (something) in restrained terms, often to obtain an ironic effect
to state that (something, such as a number) is less than it is