152 Another Word for Understatement? – Understatement Synonyms & Antonyms

Want to say understatement differently? Here are other words for understatement and its similar synonyms and opposite words to say in unique way.


Meaning of understatement

A statement that is less strong or emphatic than what is actually meant.

Etymology of understatement

The word "understatement" originated in the mid-19th century from the words "under" and "statement", with the prefix "under-" conveying a sense of reduction or diminishment.
The term has been used in English to describe a rhetorical device in which something is represented as being less significant or substantial than it actually is.

Synonyms

euphemism downplay minimize moderate mitigate soften mute temper understate lessen diminish reduce underrate underplay low-key play down tone down moderate mild restrained reserved subtle implicit suggested intimated hinted implied understated muted subdued restrained low-key modest unassuming unpretentious humble self-effacing diffident

Definitions

  • A statement that is less strong or emphatic than what is actually meant, often used to avoid offending or to convey a sense of irony or humor.
  • * A statement that represents something as being smaller, less serious, or less significant than it really is.

Usage Examples

  • Saying "I'm a little tired" when you're extremely exhausted is an understatement.
  • * The company's financial troubles were an understatement, as they were on the brink of bankruptcy.
  • * When he said he was "a bit hungry", it was a huge understatement, as he had not eaten all day.

Antonyms

exaggeration overstatement embellishment hyperbole amplification magnification inflation aggrandizement embellishment enlargement enhancement intensification augmentation amplification hyperbole boast brag bombast rhetoric grandiosity pretension ostentation flaunting showing off

Related Adjectives

understated muted subdued restrained low-key modest unassuming unpretentious humble self-effacing diffident mild moderate tempered softened lessened diminished reduced underrated underplayed implicit suggested intimated hinted implied subtle restrained reserved subtle understated muted subdued

Related Nouns

understatement euphemism downplay moderation mitigation softening muting tempering lessening diminution reduction underrating underestimation low-key restraint reserve subtlety implicitness suggestion intimation hint implication moderation mildness restraint modesty humility self-effacement diffidence

Related Verbs

understate downplay moderate mitigate soften mute temper lessen diminish reduce underrate underestimate low-key play down tone down moderate restrain reserve subtle imply intimate hint suggest moderate mild restrain humble self-efface diffuse
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