understatement
Example Sentences
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The chances of a life as complex and purposefully incongruent as Madonna’s fitting into one feature-length film — even two or three — are slim, and even that’s an understatement.
From Salon ● Jul. 8, 2026
The long-suffering younger Forster described his father, in an understatement, as having “a tendency toward self-love, pride, and a certain scholarly vanity.”
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 12, 2026
To call him bullish about the technology’s potential would be an understatement.
From Barron's ● Jun. 11, 2026
To say it's been a tough few weeks for Hearts fans is a little bit of an understatement.
From BBC ● May 26, 2026
By nature or by exposure he had become like them, in their understatement, their blunt assertion of will.
From "Seabiscuit: An American Legend" by Laura Hillenbrand
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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
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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