understatement
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
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By the end, the hyperbolic term “madman” seems like an understatement for Irwin’s subjects, many of whom are, at a minimum, fantasists.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 11, 2026
“It does not inspire confidence to know that this kind of wild understatement happened,” said Andrew Granato, a law professor at the University of Texas at Austin who specializes in corporate finance and insurance.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 5, 2026
Zheng Qinwen described her US Open third-round comeback win over Madison Keys as a "very dramatic match" - but that is somewhat of an understatement.
From BBC ● Sep. 5, 2026
"To say that the circumstances surrounding how they came to be in the bath are unusual would be an understatement," Raper said in the judgement.
From Barron's ● Jul. 22, 2026
I couldn't help smiling grimly at this understatement.
From "The Shakespeare Stealer" by Gary L. Blackwood
As for the camp factor, many massive understatements in the script will trigger appreciative howls of laughter.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Dec. 18, 2025
It was one of the greatest understatements of all time.
From BBC ● Aug. 8, 2025
In the world of understatements, saying there’s a lot of television out there has to rank among the boldest.
From Los Angeles Times ● May 18, 2022
The rolls are understatements, their sheer bean curd wrappers encasing shrimp, pork, shiitakes and bamboo shoots, everything moistened with a light wash of brown sauce.
From Washington Post ● Aug. 16, 2017
The average of these averages is 101 per cent. for the entire club, and is probably within the truth; for most of the individual figures which go to make up this result are understatements, not overstatements.
From How to Live Rules for Healthful Living Based on Modern Science by Irving Fisher
Vocabulary lists containing understatement
Literary Devices & Figures of Speech - Introductory
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The Giver
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Rhetoric
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