English Explanatory Dictionary

underestimate

English dictionary entry

Meanings

verb
  1. To estimate too low; to perceive (someone or something) as having a lower value, quantity, worth, etc., than what he/she/it actually has.
  2. To perceive or expect (someone or something) to be less significant or difficult than it actually is.
noun
  1. An estimate that is too low.

Pronunciation

/ʌndɚˈɛs.tɪ.meɪt/ LL-Q1860 (eng)-Vealhurl-underestimate.wav /ʌndɚˈɛs.tɪ.mɪt/ /ʌndɚˈɛs.tɪ.mət/ LL-Q1860 (eng)-Vealhurl-underestimate2.wav

Word forms

underestimate underestimates underestimating underestimated

Etymology

From under- + estimate.

Synonyms

misunderestimate sell short underapproximate underestimate underguess underjudge underrate underreckon understate misjudge belittle make light of bagatellize banalize cut down de-emphasize denigrate degrade deprecate derogate disparage dispraise downplay lilliputianize make little of make nothing of minimize play down set at nought superficialize trivialize underplay vilipend underestimation

Antonyms

overestimate overapproximate overhold overrate overreckon overstate overthink overdo big up cut it fat exaggerate hyperbolize overcharge overemphasize play up stretch three-sheet

Derived words

misunderestimate nobody ever went broke underestimating the intelligence of the American people nobody ever went broke underestimating the taste of the American people
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