Understate

v. [UNDER-¹ 10 a.] trans. To state below what is correct or warrantable. Also absol., to make an understatement.

1

1824. Mackintosh, Sp. Ho. Comm., 1 June, Wks. 1846, III. 430. A pious and amiable woman,… anxious rather to understate facts.

2

1850. Grote, Greece, II. lxiv. VIII. 252, note. I have understated the number of lives in danger.

3

1874. Gladstone, in Contemp. Rev., Oct., 673. In commenting on over-statement, I do not seek to understate.

4