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Showing results for underestimate.
Definitions

underestimate

[uhn-der-es-tuh-meyt, uhn-der-es-tuh-mit, -meyt] / ˌʌn dərˈɛs təˌmeɪt, ˌʌn dərˈɛs tə mɪt, -ˌmeɪt /
VERB
minimize; rate too low
Synonyms
STRONGEST
belittle miscalculate underrate undervalue
STRONG
deprecate depreciate disesteem disparage miscarry slight
WEAK
make light of not do justice put down sell short think too little of
Antonyms
STRONGEST
exaggerate overestimate overrate overvalue praise value
STRONG
approve commend compliment flatter laud
WEAK
maximize

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.

"Presidents have often offered timelines to buy time with the public" during wars, said Thomas Patterson, a historian at the Harvard Kennedy School, "and almost all of them underestimate the time."

From BBC • Apr. 3, 2026

Traders should not underestimate what a long weekend could bring.

From Barron's • Apr. 3, 2026

Sports underestimate their human elements, the tics and oddities that make them unique.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 26, 2026

Don’t underestimate the pressure a new baby and secret debt will put on you.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 2, 2026

When the meeting adjourned, Mott hugged Bush and thanked her for taking the lead, and Stanton realized she had been wrong to underestimate the female leadership.

From "Votes for Women!" by Winifred Conkling

From Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.