Understatement

/ˌʌndərˈsteɪtmənt/

Meaning & Definition

noun

The act of stating something in restrained terms, often for effect or to create an ironic contrast with the reality.

Saying the weather is 'a bit chilly' when it's snowing heavily is a classic understatement.

A statement that represents something as being smaller, worse, or less important than it actually is.

Her comment about the project's challenges was an understatement; it was far more complicated than she suggested.

A figure of speech in which a writer or speaker deliberately makes a situation seem less important or serious than it is.

Calling his 50-point loss a 'small setback' was a remarkable understatement.

An expression that conveys a lack of emphasis, thereby minimizing its significance.

His understatement of the event's impact left the audience bewildered.

The word 'understatement' is derived from the prefix 'under-' meaning 'less than' and 'statement,' a declaration.

a huge understatement

A statement that significantly downplays the situation.

understate the facts

To present the facts in a way that minimizes their importance.

overstatement

An exaggerated statement or claim.

euphemism

A mild or indirect word or expression substituted for one considered to be too harsh or blunt.

It's an understatement.

When she said the movie was 'not great,' it was an understatement considering how bad it was.

Underplaying it.

He was really underplaying it when he called the storm 'a bit windy.'