easy
Do not understate how much work the project took.
What does Understate mean?
Understate means to make something sound smaller or less important.
Dictionary definition
To understate something means to describe it as less important, serious, or strong than it really is.
Example sentences
Understate in a sentence
medium
The report understated the storm's effect on the small town.
hard
A writer may understate a character's fear by saying only that the room felt a little quiet.
Writing practice
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Quick practice
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Practice the meaning of Understate
Answer three quick questions about its meaning and related words.
Question 1 of 3
Practice 1
What does understate mean?
Understate means to describe something as smaller, weaker, or less serious than it really is.
Practice 2
Which word is closest in meaning to understate?
Downplay is close in meaning because both words can mean make something seem less important.
Practice 3
Which word is a useful contrast for understate?
Overstate is the direct contrast because it means make something sound greater than it is.
Practice complete
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Pronunciation coach
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Understate
Voice settings
Sounds like
un · der · stayt · strongest beat: stayt
Tap each sound part, then blend the whole word together.
Learn
WordUnderstate.
Partverb.
MeaningUnderstate means to make something sound smaller or less important.
ExampleExample: Do not understate how much work the project took.
Word breakdown
3 syllables. Say each part, then blend the word.
- Syllables
- un · der · stayt
- Strongest beat
- stayt
- Ending
- stayt
- Tip
- Put a little extra energy on stayt.
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Synonyms
Words like Understate
downplayUse when making something seem less important.
minimizeUse when making something seem smaller or less serious.
Antonyms
Opposite words
exaggerateUse when making something seem larger or stronger than it is.
overstateUse when describing something as more serious or important than it is.
Synonym practice
Want to practice understate synonyms in context? Try a Synonym Search question like "Please do not understate how much effort the project took," then compare close word choices. Practice understate synonyms.
Word family
Understate word family
Base word
state
verb
understate
To make something sound less important or serious.
verb
understates
Makes something sound less important.
adjective
understated
Presented in a quiet or not exaggerated way.
noun
understatement
A statement that makes something seem less important or serious.
Related words
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Student support
Understand Understate
Hint for students
Understate means to make something sound smaller, less serious, or less important than it really is. It is useful for reading tone and evidence.
Common mix-up
Do not confuse understate with simply state. State means say; understate means say something in a way that makes it seem less than it is.
Try it in class or at home
Write one sentence that shows understate without using the word understate. Then underline the clue words that show something is made to sound smaller, weaker, or less important than it really is. Example: After building the whole set alone, Ava said she only helped a little. Clue words: building the whole set alone, only helped a little Now try your own sentence. Ask: Does my sentence show someone making something sound less important or serious than it is?
Teacher prompt
Ask students to explain this model sentence: "The report understated the storm's effect on the small town." Why does understate fit better than exaggerate?
Learning activities
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