understatement
Example Sentences
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When Dolly Parton sang, “Working 9 to 5, what a way to make a living,” it was an understatement.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 27, 2026
“There’s lots of new in the Premier League,” chief executive Richard Masters said, with typical English understatement.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 21, 2026
Rory McIlroy made it abundantly clear, even if saying that he is "not fond" of the two time US Open champion is probably a considerable understatement.
From BBC ● Jul. 20, 2026
It would be an understatement to say that the site’s library of films available for logging, rating and reviewing is extensive.
From Salon ● Jul. 15, 2026
He paused to give emphasis to his understatement.
From "The Name of the Wind" by Patrick Rothfuss
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
Those are understatements akin to calling the Amazon a creek or the Grand Canyon a ditch.
From Washington Post ● Dec. 29, 2022
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
In his presence conversation became pure and colourless and full of understatements, and—just as if he was a real clergyman—neither men nor boys ever forgot that he was there.
From The Longest Journey by E. M. (Edward Morgan) Forster
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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