underestimated

USAGE SUMMARY

'underestimated' is a correct and usable word in written English.
You can use it to refer to when something or someone is given less credit than they or it deserves. Example sentence: She was greatly underestimated by her peers and she proved them wrong by achieving her goals.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Just as I underestimated the sheer hard work involved in writing funny election columns, Cameron clearly thought being prime minister would be a lark, a breeze, and a wizard wheeze, something to chalk up on his business-class bucket list, along with getting a selfie with Helle Thorning-Schmidt and sucking the bass player from Blur's luxury cheese direct from the goat's teat.

The Guardian - Opinion

Essentially, like Michael Fish and the hurricane, I underestimated the strength of the 1970s revival we are experiencing.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The breadth of the violence, along with the extent of official involvement, ​was​ significantly underestimated The killing did not end but was scaled back and conducted more covertly.

The Guardian

But Labour's wipeout in Scotland was the only bit of this election accurately predicted by the pollsters, although even here the scale of our defeat was underestimated.

The Guardian - Opinion

As it turned out the poll underestimated the drubbing the party would receive.

The Guardian

The party's chief negotiator, Martin McGuinness, has warned that the effects of suspension on nationalist and republican opinion should not be underestimated.

The Guardian

Even now, that tenacity is not to be underestimated.

The Guardian - Opinion

Not for the first time, the troika has underestimated Alexis Tsipras, the Greek prime minister.

The Guardian - Business

"I'd read the play three or four years ago when it was on Broadway and underestimated it.

The Guardian

He made up sentences that helped explain to him, and therefore others in his dire, inhibiting situation, the bottled-up the pain he felt at being underestimated, pinned down, ignored, driven into the thieving, violence and ganged-up mischief that confirms all mercilessly applied stereotypes.

The Guardian - Music

"And I think he's seriously underestimated the steps that need to be taken to bring true remedy".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using "underestimated" to highlight a past misjudgment, thereby setting up a contrast with a current, more accurate assessment. This approach is effective in persuasive writing.

Common error

Avoid using "underestimated" interchangeably with similar terms like "underrated" or "undervalued" without considering the nuanced differences in their meanings. "Underestimated" implies a miscalculation or misjudgment, while the others suggest a consistent lack of appreciation.

Linguistic Context

The word "underestimated" primarily functions as the past participle of the verb 'underestimate', often used in passive voice constructions. According to Ludwig AI, this word indicates when something or someone is given less credit than they deserve.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Formal & Business

26%

Science

26%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "underestimated" is a versatile verb form commonly used to denote a past misjudgment or undervaluation. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in written English, highlighting its ability to convey that something or someone was not given the credit they deserved. Its prevalence across news, business, and scientific domains underscores its wide applicability. When using "underestimated", clarity is key: specify what was undervalued and by whom to maximize impact and enhance persuasive writing. While alternatives like "underrated" and "undervalued" exist, "underestimated" precisely conveys a previous error in assessment. By understanding its nuances and contextual usage, writers can effectively leverage "underestimated" to enrich their narratives and arguments.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

underrated

Implies a consistent failure to recognize someone or something's true value.

undervalued

Suggests that the monetary or practical worth of something is not fully appreciated.

misjudged

Indicates an incorrect assessment or perception of a person or situation.

underappreciated

Highlights a lack of gratitude or recognition for contributions or qualities.

discounted

Suggests that something was dismissed as unimportant or irrelevant.

overlooked

Indicates that something was not noticed or considered.

taken lightly

Implies a failure to recognize the seriousness or importance of something.

not given enough credit

Highlights that sufficient acknowledgment or recognition was not provided.

poorly assessed

Suggests that an evaluation or appraisal was conducted inadequately.

underestimated the significance

Specific to the importance or impact of an event or factor.

FAQs

How can I use "underestimated" in a sentence?

You can use "underestimated" to describe a situation where someone or something's value or impact was not fully recognized. For example, "The impact of social media on the election was underestimated."

What are some alternatives to using "underestimated"?

Alternatives to "underestimated" include "underrated", "undervalued", or "misjudged", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use "underestimated" or "underrated" in a certain context?

"Underestimated" is more appropriate when referring to a miscalculation or misjudgment of value or impact, while "underrated" is better suited to describe something that is consistently not appreciated for its true worth.

What does it mean when someone says that a risk was "underestimated"?

When someone says a risk was "underestimated", it means that the potential negative consequences or likelihood of the risk occurring were not fully appreciated or accurately assessed.