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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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
“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
The understatement of the year, was a phrase my mother uses.
From "The Handmaid's Tale" by Margaret Atwood
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
“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 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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