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understating

[/ˌʌndərˈsteɪtɪŋ/]
verb (gerund/present participle)
subestimar; minimizar; afirmar de forma moderada
1. Representing something as less important, serious, or significant than it actually is
He was understating the severity of the problem.
Ele estava subestimando a gravidade do problema.
2. Expressing something in restrained or moderate terms
To say the weather was bad would be understating it; it was a hurricane.
Dizer que o tempo estava ruim seria minimizar; foi um furacão.
3. Stating something with less force or emphasis than warranted
She was understating her qualifications in the interview.
Ela estava minimizando suas qualificações na entrevista.
NYC Slang
playing it down; underselling
Synonyms
downplayingminimizingbelittlingunderstressingsoft-pedaling
Antonyms
exaggeratingoverstatingemphasizingmagnifyingamplifying

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
subestimar; minimizar
Most common usage across Brazil
São Paulo
subestimar; diminuir a importância
Formal business context
Portugal
minimizar; subestimar; afirmar de forma contida
More formal and literary usage

Related Idioms & Phrases

to understate the case
to put it mildly (as in: 'to understate it mildly')
to downplay something
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