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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In an understatement of the modern age, Anthropic says “we are subject to complex and evolving laws, regulations, and other legal obligations related to privacy and data protection.”
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 26, 2026
With the understatement typical of an Orkney islander, lead mechanical technician Ewan Leonard told me the winter weather could be "a bit of a challenge."
From BBC ● Oct. 24, 2026
To say I can relate would be an understatement.
From Salon ● Oct. 12, 2026
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
“Ha,” said Roscuro, “a little journey. That is right. Ha. I love the understatement of that phrase. A little journey. Oh, it will be a little journey. Indeed, it will. ”
From "The Tale of Despereaux: Being the Story of a Mouse, a Princess, Some Soup and a Spool of Thread" by Kate DiCamillo
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
He still brakes for bad puns and double-negative understatements, but he avoids the kind of under-metabolized research that sometimes alienated his early readers.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 30, 2025
It was one of the greatest understatements of all time.
From BBC ● Aug. 8, 2025
“Obviously, they’re going through some of their own issues,” Maryland coach Mike Locksley said Tuesday in one of the understatements of the college football season.
From Washington Times ● Nov. 14, 2023
I told him no lies, but I told him only half the truth; and if he chooses to indulge mentally in any romantic understatements, why, he is welcome, and bless his simple heart!
From The Atlantic Monthly, Volume 17, No. 100, February, 1866 by Various
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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