underestimate

verb

ˌən-dər-ˈe-stə-ˌmāt How to pronounce underestimate (audio)
Definition of underestimatenext
as in to minimize
to place too low a value on we had underestimated her ability to raise the start-up money for her own design firm

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of underestimate The findings suggest the impacts of losing Thwaites might have been underestimated. — Laura Paddison, CNN Money, 15 Oct. 2026 Brands are creating content at scale, but according to our research at CS Web Solutions, many are underestimating the technical and structural factors that influence modern search visibility. — Vin Sonpal, Forbes.com, 15 Oct. 2026 The federal government is planning to dramatically shrink its most influential health survey, and some researchers worry that the changes will underestimate how many Americans are disabled. — ABC News, 14 Oct. 2026 This methodology could underestimate El Niño’s potential impact, Bernstein said. — John Lippert, Chicago Tribune, 14 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for underestimate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for underestimate
  1. minimize
  2. underrate
  3. undervalue
Verb
  • Department leaders are evaluating how to best deploy resources for different emergencies and minimize disruptions.
    — Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 14 Oct. 2026
  • Research actually shows that having depression can more than double your risk for dementia, so don’t minimize it, Tucker says.
    — Maggie Ryan, Flow Space, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of minimize
Verb
  • The thing people always underrate about the 2000s is how many of us were not going to the movies to feel good.
    — Darren Franich, HollywoodReporter, 11 Sep. 2026
  • Amazon’s jewelry selection is hugely underrated, in my humble opinion, and this $10 layered necklace is a pretty good example of why.
    — Annie Blackman, InStyle, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of underrate
Verb
  • Rubio promised on his visit to the region that the US was offering long-term deals in a part of the world Washington has historically undervalued.
    — semafor.com, semafor.com, 19 Oct. 2026
  • Nonprofit work should be led by capable professionals whose commitment to mission should never justify undervaluing their contributions.
    — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of undervalue

Browse Nearby Words

underemployed
underestimate
underestimated
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Underestimate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/underestimate. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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