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
This was a great way for our teams to come together, and the value of on-the-ground teamwork should never be underestimated.
—
Natalie Bellis, Forbes, 7 Jan. 2025
Spanx Seamless Leggings $68 $39 at Spanx Never underestimate the power of a reliable pair of leggings.
—Melony Forcier, Travel + Leisure, 7 Jan. 2025
Broadly, Bezos' quality-of-life observation echoes a similar comment from the late billionaire investor Charlie Munger, who said in 2022 that people shouldn't underestimate how much the world changed for the better during his lifetime alone.
—Megan Sauer, CNBC, 3 Jan. 2025
Invest in the tools for success Along the lines of opting for sturdy moving bins over traditional cardboard boxes, Ayoub frequently sees people underestimate the value of proper packing supplies, overpacking boxes and trying to fit too much into a flimsy container.
—Perri Ormont Blumberg, Architectural Digest, 3 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for underestimate 
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Natalie Bellis, Forbes, 7 Jan. 2025
Spanx Seamless Leggings $68 $39 at Spanx Never underestimate the power of a reliable pair of leggings.
—Melony Forcier, Travel + Leisure, 7 Jan. 2025
Broadly, Bezos' quality-of-life observation echoes a similar comment from the late billionaire investor Charlie Munger, who said in 2022 that people shouldn't underestimate how much the world changed for the better during his lifetime alone.
—Megan Sauer, CNBC, 3 Jan. 2025
Invest in the tools for success Along the lines of opting for sturdy moving bins over traditional cardboard boxes, Ayoub frequently sees people underestimate the value of proper packing supplies, overpacking boxes and trying to fit too much into a flimsy container.
—Perri Ormont Blumberg, Architectural Digest, 3 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for underestimate
Articles Related to underestimate
Dictionary Entries Near underestimate
Cite this Entry
“Underestimate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/underestimate. Accessed 18 Jan. 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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