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
Deterrence can’t work if your adversary underestimates your ability or willingness to act.
—
Edward Fishman, The Atlantic, 24 Feb. 2025
Success can breed overconfidence, leading leaders to underestimate emerging threats.
—Julian Hayes Ii, Forbes, 23 Feb. 2025
Some arts professionals say that the Trump administration may be underestimating the amount of experience and expertise required to run and finance an institution like the Kennedy Center.
—Robin Pogrebin, New York Times, 19 Feb. 2025
Investors that overpay or underestimate the ownership costs of a property are setting themselves up to fail right from the very beginning.
—Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 14 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for underestimate
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Edward Fishman, The Atlantic, 24 Feb. 2025
Success can breed overconfidence, leading leaders to underestimate emerging threats.
—Julian Hayes Ii, Forbes, 23 Feb. 2025
Some arts professionals say that the Trump administration may be underestimating the amount of experience and expertise required to run and finance an institution like the Kennedy Center.
—Robin Pogrebin, New York Times, 19 Feb. 2025
Investors that overpay or underestimate the ownership costs of a property are setting themselves up to fail right from the very beginning.
—Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 14 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for underestimate
Articles Related to underestimate
Cite this Entry
“Underestimate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/underestimate. Accessed 3 Mar. 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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