understate \| ̷ ̷ ̷ ̷| ̷ ̷\transitive verb Etymology:under (I) + state 1.: to represent as being less than the true number, size, intensity : state inadequately or less strongly than may be done truthfully < understate taxable income > < understate the logical difficulties of a proposed scheme > 2.: to state or describe with deliberate restraint especially so as to achieve an effective contrast : withhold obvious emphasis from < story is told with … understated force — Time >