underestimate

USAGE SUMMARY

'underestimate' is a correct and usable word in written English.
You can use it to describe when you judged or thought of something or someone as less important, serious, or difficult than it or they actually are. Example sentence: I underestimated the difficulty of the project, so it took me longer than I expected.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Davis's diminutive size kind of makes her the underdog in most of her matches, but underestimate her at your peril.

The Guardian - Sport

They have done very well to get to the semi-final, they have drastically improved in the last six to 12 months and we can't underestimate them at all.

The Guardian - Sport

"We go into the negotiations aiming to be constructive and engaged but also resolute and firm and no one should underestimate our determination to succeed".

The Guardian - Business

You might think Daniel Radcliffe, post-Harry Potter, would not scare easily but that would be to underestimate The Woman in Black.

The Guardian - Film

"That will suit us if they underestimate us".

The Guardian - Sport

Really, it is not possible to underestimate how much Murdoch needs to feel you'll bend when he blows.

The Guardian - Opinion

I'm all for hospital births – in today's highly medicalised western world it's all to easy to underestimate just how risky the start of life can be, for mother and baby.

The Guardian - Opinion

So you cannot underestimate what a technical triumph it was for Milliband to deliver the whole speech fluently and persuasively from memory.

The Guardian - Opinion

And don't underestimate the damage done by the constant barrage of Germany-bashing aNaziazi comparisons.

The Guardian - Opinion

Operation Black Vote estimates that the BME vote was bigger than the sitting MP's majority in the 2010 election in 99 seats, but those figures are based on the 2001 census, so probably underestimate the impact.

The Guardian

Their chairman, Richard Colless, said: "It's impossible to underestimate how disappointed we are, given who the individual is and the highly commendable role he played on Friday.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To enhance the impact, follow "underestimate" with a specific consequence or outcome that arises from the misjudgment. For example: "Don't underestimate the market volatility; you could lose your investment."

Common error

Ensure you're not accidentally using "underestimate" when you mean "overestimate", or vice versa. These words have opposite meanings, and using the wrong one can completely change your sentence's meaning. Always double-check your intended meaning.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "underestimate" is a transitive verb. It requires a direct object, indicating what or whom is being undervalued or misjudged. Ludwig AI shows many examples of its usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Formal & Business

24%

Science

12%

Less common in

Academia

4%

Encyclopedias

4%

Wiki

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "underestimate" functions as a transitive verb used to caution against misjudging the importance, strength, or value of something. Ludwig AI validates that it's grammatically correct and sees it in diverse contexts, particularly News & Media and Formal & Business. When writing with "underestimate", consider the specific aspect being misjudged and avoid confusion with "overestimate". Related phrases include "underrate" and "undervalue". Remember, clear and precise language is key to effective communication!

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Underrate

Implies a lower estimation of worth or quality, often in comparison to others.

Undervalue

Focuses on the misjudgment of monetary or intrinsic worth.

Misjudge

Suggests a general error in assessment, not necessarily limited to a low estimation.

Miscalculate

Implies an error in numerical assessment or prediction.

Discount

Indicates a conscious decision to disregard or minimize something's importance.

Trivialize

Suggests making something seem less important than it is, often inappropriately.

Make light of

Similar to trivialize, implying a lack of seriousness in the assessment.

Look down on

Implies a sense of superiority and a lower estimation based on that perspective.

Sell short

To undervalue or underestimate the potential of something.

Fail to appreciate

Highlights a lack of understanding or recognition of true value.

FAQs

How can I use "underestimate" in a sentence?

You can use "underestimate" to indicate a misjudgment where something is perceived as less important, capable, or significant than it actually is. For example, "Never "underestimate" the power of a well-written letter."

What's the difference between "underestimate" and "underrate"?

"Underestimate" generally refers to judging something as less significant or capable than it is, while "underrate" specifically implies assigning a lower value or quality to something than it deserves. The difference is subtle, but "underrate" is usually related to evaluating the objective characteristics or quality of something.

What can I say instead of "underestimate"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "underrate", "undervalue", or "misjudge". Each alternative carries a slightly different nuance.

Is it grammatically correct to say "don't underestimate"?

Yes, "don't underestimate" is grammatically correct. It is a common imperative phrase used to advise against misjudging the importance or capability of something.