underestimate
verb
un·der·es·ti·mate
ˌən-dər-ˈe-stə-ˌmāt 
underestimated; underestimating; underestimates
1
: to estimate as being less than the actual size, quantity, or number
2
: to place too low a value on : underrate
Examples of underestimate in a Sentence
The city underestimated the cost of the new building.
The number of people in the crowd was underestimated by 5,000.
Never underestimate the importance of a good education.
Her talent has always been underestimated.
Recent Examples on the Web
The logistical difficulty of smuggling datacenter-grade hardware is often underestimated; these GPUs arrive preassembled into racks that can weigh over 3,600 pounds, making physical diversion highly impractical.
—
Patrick Moorhead, Forbes.com, 16 July 2025
Try this harder alternative first Before turning immediately to medications, don’t underestimate what consistent lifestyle changes can do, not just for your blood sugar but for your whole life.
—Dr. Jamin Brahmbhatt, CNN Money, 14 July 2025
Do not underestimate how important this change will be.
—Jim Cramer, CNBC, 13 July 2025
Texas floods killed 43+, with warnings issued hours ahead (CNN), but rainfall underestimated.
—Los Angeles Times, 11 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for underestimate
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Patrick Moorhead, Forbes.com, 16 July 2025
Try this harder alternative first Before turning immediately to medications, don’t underestimate what consistent lifestyle changes can do, not just for your blood sugar but for your whole life.
—Dr. Jamin Brahmbhatt, CNN Money, 14 July 2025
Do not underestimate how important this change will be.
—Jim Cramer, CNBC, 13 July 2025
Texas floods killed 43+, with warnings issued hours ahead (CNN), but rainfall underestimated.
—Los Angeles Times, 11 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for underestimate
Cite this Entry
“Underestimate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/underestimate. Accessed 21 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
underestimate
verb
un·der·es·ti·mate
ˌən-də-ˈres-tə-ˌmāt
1
: to estimate as being less than the actual size, quantity, or number
underestimate the cost of a new building
2
: to place too low a value on : underrate
underestimate an opponent
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