CEFR C1

understatement

noun

Meaning

The presentation of something as being smaller, worse, or less important than it actually is.

Examples

To say that the concert was 'quite good' would be an understatement; it was spectacular.
Calling the recent economic downturn a 'slight inconvenience' was a gross understatement of the situation.

Synonyms: euphemism, litotes, meiosis

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understatement (C1)

noun

Pronunciation: /ˌʌndərˈsteɪtmənt/

Definition

The presentation of something as being smaller, worse, or less important than it actually is.

Examples

To say that the concert was 'quite good' would be an understatement; it was spectacular.
Calling the recent economic downturn a 'slight inconvenience' was a gross understatement of the situation.
Her comment that the marathon was 'a bit tiring' was a classic understatement, given she collapsed at the finish line.

How to Use understatement

to be an understatement (collocation): To be a statement that is less forceful than the truth allows. — "To say their performance was 'good' would be an understatement; it was phenomenal."

Synonyms of understatement

Words with a similar meaning to understatement:

Antonyms of understatement

Words with the opposite meaning to understatement:

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