Understatement is an English word with synonyms like statement or overstatement. Below you'll find 10+ example sentences showing how it's used in practice.
Understatement in a sentence
Related words
Understatement meaning
- A figure of speech whereby something is made to seem smaller or less important than it actually is, either through phrasing or lack of emphasis, often for ironic effect.
- An instance of such phrasing or lack of emphasis; an incomplete statement.
- An incomplete disclosure that intentionally withholds relevant information.
Synonyms of Understatement
Using Understatement
- The main meaning on this page is: A figure of speech whereby something is made to seem smaller or less important than it actually is, either through phrasing or lack of emphasis, often for ironic effect. | An instance of such phrasing or lack of emphasis; an incomplete statement. | An incomplete disclosure that intentionally withholds relevant information.
- Useful related words include: statement, overstatement.
- In the example corpus, understatement often appears in combinations such as: an understatement, understatement to, understatement of.
Context around Understatement
- Average sentence length in these examples: 21.3 words
- Position in the sentence: 5 start, 5 middle, 10 end
- Sentence types: 19 statements, 0 questions, 1 exclamations
Corpus analysis for Understatement
- In this selection, "understatement" usually appears near the end of the sentence. The average example has 21.3 words, and this corpus slice is mostly made up of statements.
- Around the word, net, substantial, obvious, soon and roberts stand out and add context to how "understatement" is used.
- Recognizable usage signals include is an understatement and be an understatement. That gives this page its own corpus information beyond isolated example sentences.
- By corpus frequency, "understatement" sits close to words such as administering, causal and crooked, which helps place it inside the broader word index.
Example types with understatement
The same corpus examples are grouped by length and sentence type, making it easier to see the contexts in which the word appears:
A good career is certainly an understatement. (7 words)
Blowng will be an understatement soon enough! (7 words)
MJF says calling it a dream match is an understatement. (10 words)
It is not an understatement to say that our presence at this meeting points to our preparedness to join hands with the president-elect as he works on his plans to renew our hopes and rebuild our confidence in our government. (41 words)
AMP chief economist Shane Oliver said the expected 0.5 per cent fall implied by ASX futures was “probably an understatement” as steeper declines in the US suggested Australia may have a “bit of catching up to do”. (38 words)
The 5,400 reported adverse events may be an understatement, the advocacy group's health services researcher Azza AbuDagga said, citing a study that found less than a tenth of adverse events related to drugs are reported. (37 words)
Blowng will be an understatement soon enough! (7 words)
Example sentences (20)
The IRS assesses a of 20 percent of the net understatement of tax for “substantial understatement” and “negligence or disregard of the rules or regulations” violations.
After all of season 11 death fakeouts, it's an understatement to say that the newlyweds have gone through a lot.
A good career is certainly an understatement.
AMP chief economist Shane Oliver said the expected 0.5 per cent fall implied by ASX futures was “probably an understatement” as steeper declines in the US suggested Australia may have a “bit of catching up to do”.
A young lady found herself in the situation I mentioned above, and to say she was 'freaked out' is an understatement.
Blowng will be an understatement soon enough!
Clibbens added: “It’s an obvious understatement to say that this doesn’t help us at all.
It is not an understatement to say that our presence at this meeting points to our preparedness to join hands with the president-elect as he works on his plans to renew our hopes and rebuild our confidence in our government.
It's an understatement to say that has started 2022 with a bang.
It’s an understatement to say they understand the value of water more than most of us.
It would be an understatement to say Nintendo has released a huge range of iconic titles over the years.
I’ve known Dr. Burcin Kaplanoglu for a number of years and calling him an industry visionary would be an understatement.
Just Greek officially opened to the public in Aberdeen’s Westburn Park back in June, and to say it has proved popular would be an understatement.
MJF says calling it a dream match is an understatement.
Much has been written about what happens when you ditch a physical keyboard—or make it optional—and to say there’s a learning curve here is an understatement.
She said: “To say I am disappointed that Meta is continuing with their plans to roll out end-to-end encryption is an understatement.
So I mean to say I'm ready for it as an understatement," Roberts said.
The 5,400 reported adverse events may be an understatement, the advocacy group's health services researcher Azza AbuDagga said, citing a study that found less than a tenth of adverse events related to drugs are reported.
The "Ninja War Arc" was the final arc of the anime, and to say it was convoluted would be an understatement.
The reality star continued, “To say i have been devastated and broken is an understatement.
Common combinations with understatement
These word pairs occur most frequently in English texts:
- an understatement 140×
- understatement to 20×
- understatement of 10×
- understatement as 8×
- gross understatement 8×
- understatement and 7×
- the understatement 7×
- understatement the 4×
- understatement in 4×
- slight understatement 4×