UNDERSTATEMENT Definition & Meaning

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understatement

[uhn-der-steyt-muhnt, uhn-der-steyt-]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

the act or an instance of understating, or representing in a weak or restrained way that is not borne out by the facts.
The journalist wrote that the earthquake had caused some damage. This turned out to be a massive understatement of the devastation.

understatement

A form of irony in which something is intentionally represented as less than it is: “Hank Aaron was a pretty good ball player.”

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51�Թ� History and Origins

Origin of understatement¹

under- + statement

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

“To say that he seemed high was an understatement,” a New Yorker writer observed.

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To say he is a beloved and respected leader in both the union and California in general is an understatement.

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To say that St. John Bosco and Santa Margarita engaged in a championship baseball game on Friday night that will be remembered for a lifetime would be an understatement.

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But Mr Kinsman says that's Canadian understatement for being "disgusted" by the invitation.

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To say that those letters catch my attention now is an understatement.

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