Definitions for understatement
ˌʌn dərˈsteɪt mənt, ˈʌn dərˌsteɪt-un·der·state·ment

Princeton's WordNetRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. understatementnoun

   a statement that is restrained in ironic contrast to what might have been said

WiktionaryRate this definition:2.0 / 1 vote

1. understatementnoun

   a disclosure or statement that is less than complete

2. understatementnoun

   restraint or lack of emphasis, especially for ironic effect

3. Etymology: * under + statement

WikipediaRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Understatement

   Understatement is an expression of lesser strength than what the speaker or writer actually means or than what is normally expected. It is the opposite of embellishment or exaggeration, and is used for emphasis, irony, hedging, or humor. A particular form of understatement using negative syntax is called litotes. This is not to be confused with euphemism, where a polite phrase is used in place of a harsher or more offensive expression. Understatement may also be called underexaggeration to denote lesser enthusiasm. Understatement also merges the comic with the ironic, as in Mark Twain’s comment, “The reports of my death are greatly exaggerated.”

ChatGPTRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. understatement

   An understatement is a rhetorical or literary device in which a statement or situation is presented as less important, severe, or significant than it actually is, often for ironic or humorous effect.

Webster DictionaryRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Understatementnoun

   the act of understating, or the condition of being understated; that which is understated; a statement below the truth

WikidataRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Understatement

   Understatement is a form of speech which contains an expression of less strength than what would be expected. This is not to be confused with euphemism, where a polite phrase is used in place of a harsher or more offensive expression.

Matched Categories

1. • Statement

How to pronounce understatement?

1. Alex

   US English

   David

   US English

   Mark

   US English

   Daniel

   British

   Libby

   British

   Mia

   British

   Karen

   Australian

   Hayley

   Australian

   Natasha

   Australian

   Veena

   Indian

   Priya

   Indian

   Neerja

   Indian

   Zira

   US English

   Oliver

   British

   Wendy

   British

   Fred

   US English

   Tessa

   South African

How to say understatement in sign language?

Numerology

1. Chaldean Numerology

   The numerical value of understatement in Chaldean Numerology is: 3

2. Pythagorean Numerology

   The numerical value of understatement in Pythagorean Numerology is: 8

Examples of understatement in a Sentence

1. Adam Seth Litwin:

   In the wake of the current spike in COVID hospitalizations, calling the labor market for registered nurses' cutthroat' is an understatement, even if the health care sector can somehow find more beds, it can not just go out and buy more front-line caregivers.

2. Evan Oshan:

   The family is very upset, this is essentially their family member who died. To say they are upset is a gross understatement.

3. Judge Draganchuk:

   To say you violated your role as a police officer would be an understatement.

4. Bill Mahoney:

   To say it was fortunate for him that the biker came by, is an understatement.

5. Prosecutor Kym Worthy:

   It is a gross understatement to say that this case is harrowing example of irresponsible pet ownership.

Popularity rank by frequency of use

References

1. ^ Princeton's WordNet
   http://wordnetweb.princeton.edu/perl/webwn?s=understatement
2. ^ Wiktionary
   https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/Understatement
3. ^ Wikipedia
   https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Understatement
4. ^ ChatGPT
   https://chat.openai.com
5. ^ Webster Dictionary
   https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/understatement
6. ^ Wikidata
   https://www.wikidata.org/w/index.php?search=understatement