understatement

under- +‎ statement

understatement (usually uncountable, plural understatements)

1. An incomplete statement, particularly:
   1. (uncountable, rhetoric) A figure of speech whereby something is made to seem smaller or less important than it actually is, either through phrasing or lack of emphasis, often for ironic effect; meiosis.

      A master of understatement

   2. An instance of such phrasing or lack of emphasis.

      Now that's an understatement.

   3. An incomplete disclosure that intentionally withholds relevant information.

• (rhetorical device): meiosis

• (generally): overstatement
• (rhetorical device): See hyperbole

• (rhetorical device, stating something by denying its opposite): litotes
• (instance of its use, extreme brevity): laconism

• understate

Borrowed from English understatement.

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• Hyphenation: un‧der‧state‧ment

understatement n (plural understatements)

1. understatement

• parabool

Borrowed from English understatement.

understatement m (invariable)

1. understatement