Meaning
To underestimate means to think that someone or something is less important, less strong, less intelligent, or less capable than they really are. It can also mean to calculate or guess too low an amount, cost, or level.
Grammar and Usage
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Part of speech: Verb (transitive)
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Forms: underestimate, underestimates, underestimated, underestimating
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Structures:
- underestimate + noun (She underestimated the cost.)
- underestimate how/what/that clause (He underestimated how difficult it would be.)
Common Phrases
- Don’t underestimate me.
- Never underestimate the power of…
- Underestimate the risk
- Underestimate the importance of…
Collocations
- Verb + underestimate: tend to underestimate, often underestimate
- Adverb + underestimate: seriously underestimate, greatly underestimate
- Object + underestimate: underestimate the cost, underestimate the risk, underestimate someone’s ability
Examples
- Many students underestimate how much time is needed to prepare for the exam.
- Don’t underestimate her—she’s much stronger than she looks.
- The company underestimated the costs of building the new office.
- He underestimated the importance of networking in his career.
- Tourists often underestimate how hot it gets in the desert.
- We shouldn’t underestimate the risk of climate change.
- The team underestimated their opponents and lost the game.
- She underestimated how quickly her children would grow up.
Synonyms or Related
- misjudge
- underrate
- minimize
- downplay
Antonym
- overestimate
- exaggerate