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Definition of "understatement" []

  • A disclosure or statement that is less than complete. (noun)
  • Restraint or lack of emphasis in expression, as for rhetorical effect. (noun)
  • Restraint in artistic expression. (noun)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Use "understatement" in a sentence
  • "In the end, Mr. Castro, 34, opted for what he described as understatement: pink eye shadow, a bright pink V-neck shirt and intermittent outbursts of tears."
  • "Business Standard Taxman says DLF diverted funds, questions role of auditors The I-T authorities have slapped a tax liability of Rs 300-400 crore on realty leader DLF over what they called understatement of income and fund diversion by the company."
  • "The word "understatement" was used a number of times during the call when Reid discussed his trip."