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understatement

   Also found in: Legal, Wikipedia 0.01 sec.
un·der·state·ment  (ndr-sttmnt, ndr-stt-)
n.
1. A disclosure or statement that is less than complete.
2. Restraint or lack of emphasis in expression, as for rhetorical effect.
3. Restraint in artistic expression.

understatement [ˌʌndəˈsteɪtmənt]
n
the act or an instance of stating something in restrained terms, or as less than it is
ThesaurusLegend:  Synonyms Related Words Antonyms
Noun1.understatementunderstatement - a statement that is restrained in ironic contrast to what might have been said
statement - a message that is stated or declared; a communication (oral or written) setting forth particulars or facts etc; "according to his statement he was in London on that day"
litotes, meiosis - understatement for rhetorical effect (especially when expressing an affirmative by negating its contrary); "saying `I was not a little upset' when you mean `I was very upset' is an example of litotes"
overstatement, exaggeration, magnification - making to seem more important than it really is

understatement
noun
1. euphemism, trivialization To say I'm disappointed is an understatement.
2. restraint, reserve, subtlety, delicacy, underplaying, understatedness, underemphasis typical British understatement
Translations
understatement [ˈʌndəˌsteɪtmənt] N
1. (= underestimate) [of rate, level, growth] → subestimación f
these figures are an understatementestas cifras son una subestimación
2. (= not exaggeration) I think that's something of an understatementcreo que eso es quedarse corto
to say I'm disappointed is an understatementdecir que estoy desilusionado es quedarse corto
interesting? that's the understatement of the year!¿interesante? ¡eso es quedarse corto!
3. (= restraint) → moderación f
typical British understatementla típica moderación británica, el típico comedimiento británico(frm)
understatement [ˈʌndərsteɪtmənt] n
That's an understatement → C'est bien peu dire., Le terme est faible.
To say I'm disappointed is an understatement → Dire que je suis déçu serait un euphémisme.
that's the understatement of the year! → c'est bien le moins qu'on puisse dire!
understatement
understatement [ˈʌndəˌsteɪtmənt] nunderstatement m inv
that's an understatement! → a dir poco!
understatement [ˈʌndəˌsteɪtmənt] nunderstatement m inv
that's an understatement! → a dir poco!


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? Mentioned in ? References in classic literature
 
It is insisted that eight duels a week--four for each of the two days--is too low an average to draw a calculation from, but I will reckon from that basis, preferring an understatement to an overstatement of the case.
 
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