understatement

Meanings

• Noun

  The expression of a concept or feeling through language, with an intended meaning that is subtle or less obvious than the literal meaning.

  - "His failure to acknowledge her contribution was an understatement."
  - "The damage was much less than he had understated."
  - "Her beauty was an understatement."

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Antonyms

overstatement , hyperbole

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Synonyms

meiosis

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Rhymes

Words rhyming with understatement
misstatement , statement , mansion , ransom

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Variants

List of all variants of understatement that leads to same result
understatement , understatements , the understatement of the year

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Etymology

origin and the way in which meanings have changed throughout history.

From Old French desunter ‘to draw away, withdraw’, from de- ‘from’ + soustraire ‘to withdraw’.

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Trivia

Any details, considerations, events or pieces of information regarding the word

1. The term 'understatement' was first used in English literature in the 15th century.

2. Understatement is a common technique used in stand-up comedy to create a sense of surprise and humor.

3. The movie 'Understatement of the Year' (2001) explores the theme of understatement in a romantic comedy setting.

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Related Concepts

informations on related concepts or terms closely associated with the word. Discuss semantic fields or domains that the word belongs to

1. Sarcasm: While both understatement and sarcasm involve the use of language to convey meaning that is different from the literal meaning, understatement is more subtle and less confrontational. Sarcasm often involves the use of irony and a clear intention to mock or belittle.

2. Hyperbole: Understatement is the opposite of hyperbole, which involves the use of exaggerated language to emphasize a point.

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Culture

Any cultural, historical, or symbolic significance of the word. Explore how the word has been used in literature, art, music, or other forms of expression.

Understatement is a common literary device used in various forms of literature, such as poetry and novels, to convey complex emotions and ideas subtly. In art, understatement is often used to create a sense of mystery or to draw attention to the subtlety of the work.

How to Memorize "understatement"

1. visualize
   

   - Visualize a situation where someone understates something. Imagine a person downplaying the importance of an event or their own accomplishments.

2. associate
   

   - Associate the word 'understatement' with the idea of subtlety and underplaying. Think of a situation where a compliment is given with a tone that suggests the opposite.

3. mnemonics
   

   - Remember the acronym UNDER: Unintentional, Not Directly Expressed, Required to convey the intended meaning.

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