Definition

1. Verb:

   • To judge something as being smaller, less important, or less significant than it actually is: To form an opinion or calculation about the size, amount, cost, or difficulty of something that is too low.
   • To have too low an opinion of the ability, power, or influence of someone or something: To not fully recognize the strength, skill, or potential of a person or thing.

2. Noun:

   • An estimate or judgment that is too low: A calculation or opinion that falls short of the true figure, value, or importance.

Usage Examples

• Verb:

  • He underestimated the time required to complete the project. (He thought it would take less time than it actually did.)
  • Never underestimate your opponent in a competition. (Never think your opponent is weaker or less skilled than they are.)
  • We underestimated the cost of repairs. (Our calculated cost for repairs was lower than the actual amount.)

• Noun:

  • The final cost was double our original underestimate. (Our initial calculation was half of the true final cost.)
  • His confidence was based on a serious underestimate of the challenges ahead. (His confidence came from judging the future challenges as less severe than they were.)

Advanced Usage

• "to underestimate the importance of": To fail to recognize how significant something is.
  • One should never underestimate the importance of a good night's sleep.
• "grossly underestimate": To underestimate something by a very large amount or degree.
  • The report grossly underestimated the number of people affected.

Variants and Related Words

• Underestimation (noun): The action or an instance of underestimating.
  • The underestimation of demand led to product shortages.
• Underestimated (adjective): Describing something that has not been fully appreciated or recognized.
  • She is a highly underestimated artist in her field.

Synonyms

• Verb: Undervalue, underrate, minimize, misjudge, miscalculate.
• Noun: Underestimation, miscalculation, misjudgment.

Antonyms

• Verb: Overestimate, overrate, exaggerate, overvalue.
• Noun: Overestimate, overestimation.

Related Phrases and Idioms

• "Don't underestimate...": A common warning or piece of advice not to judge something as less than it is.
  • Don't underestimate the power of kindness.
• "A fatal underestimate": A severely incorrect low judgment leading to serious failure or danger.
  • The general's fatal underestimate of the enemy's forces cost them the battle.

Noun

1. an estimation that is too low; an estimate that is less than the true or actual value

Verb

1. make too low an estimate of
   • he underestimated the work that went into the renovation
   • Don't underestimate the danger of such a raft trip on this river
2. make a deliberately low estimate
   • The construction company wanted the contract badly and lowballed
3. assign too low a value to
   • Don't underestimate the value of this heirloom-you may sell it at a good price