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understate

/ˌʌndərˈsteɪt/  ·  say it: UN·der·STAYT

to present as less than it is

In Debate & Persuasion

In more detail

1. (verb) to describe something as being less important, serious, or impressive than it actually is

2. (verb) to say something in a quiet or restrained way without much emotion or emphasis

Examples

• 1. The company understated the severity of the problem in its report.
• 2. He tends to understate his achievements, never bragging about his success.

Nearby in Debate & Persuasion

belabor, reiterate, emphasize, overstate, exaggerate, hyperbole