English language
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Examples of understatement
understatement
Calling playing at Wrigley somewhat demanding may be a bit of an understatement.
From the dailyherald.com
To say that the Americans were deeply impressed would be English understatement.
From the telegraph.co.uk
The result has been a systematic understatement of the strength of the recovery.
From the newsweek.com
To say that the funding environment is difficult is a tremendous understatement.
From the washingtonpost.com
To call this bevy of beheadings and betrayal dark would be gross understatement.
From the newsobserver.com
However, this proved an understatement and the shares have risen 33% since then.
From the thisismoney.co.uk
That is an understatement of a self-driving vehicle's potential data collection.
From the newscientist.com
He captures the period style well and his timing and understatement are perfect.
From the morningstaronline.co.uk
To say that new coach Ryan Webber has a blank canvas might be an understatement.
From the dailyherald.com
- A statement that is restrained in ironic contrast to what might have been said
- (understated) exhibiting restrained good taste; "the room is pleasant and understated"
- Understatement is a form of speech which contains an expression of less strength than would be expected. This is not to be confused with euphemism, where a polite phrase is used in place of a harsher or more offensive expression.
- A disclosure or statement that is less than complete; restraint or lack of emphasis, especially for ironic effect
- A counseling technique wherein a sentence is repeated by the client (usually a direction suggested by the counselor), phrased as an understatement, and far away in place and time from the client. The usual format of understatement is: "It sometimes happens that... (e.g. ...
- A statement which lessens or minimizes the importance of what is meant. For example, if one were in a desert where the temperature was 125 degrees, and if one wee to describe thermal conditions saying "It's a little warm today." that would be an understamement. ...
- To state something less strongly than the situation would suggest.
- Language that avoids obvious emphasis or embellishment; litotes is one form of it.
- A form of irony, also called litotes, in which something is represented as less than it really is, with the intent of drawing attention to and emphasizing the opposite meaning.
