Definitions

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • verb Third-person singular simple present indicative form of understate.

Etymologies

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Examples

  • The “five-tool” designation understates his skills by ignoring his intelligence, preparation, and guile.

    WILLIE MAYS JAMES S. HIRSCH 2010

  • The surprise -- and even that word understates it -- nomination of Alvin Greene, an unemployed man who lives with his parents, as the Democratic nominee in the South Carolina Senate race has captivated the country.

    Explaining Alvin Greene 2010

  • Just a few months after the iPhone appeared, Apple introduced the very similar iPod Touch, which didn't get as much attention, perhaps because its name understates the scope of its features.

    IPod to Reach Out and Touch Someone 2009

  • To Schaffer, the volume of calls understates the level of need in the community, based on the kinds of landlord-tenant problems that have cropped up since the tornado.

    StarTribune.com rss feed 2011

  • The barely changed name understates how little this program -

    Statesman - AP Sports 2009

  • I think that kind of understates the difficulties of it.

    Remarks By The Vice President On Kyoto Agreement ITY National Archives 1997

  • Spokesman Gregory Hartl said the latest figure "understates" the total number of deaths from the A (H1N1) pandemic.

    Hispanic Business Magazine 2009

  • "Major player in the drama" kind of understates Byrne and Overstock's role in this.

    doggdot.us 2008

  • This is a staggering statistic, to be sure, though it likely understates beer consumption.

    A Renegade History of the United States Thaddeus Russell 2010

  • Thus, the trend in Figure 3.3 probably understates the overall generational decline.

    American Grace Robert D. Putnam 2010

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