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Underestimated - Meaning, Definition & English Examples

Underestimated means to judge something or someone as less capable, important, or significant than they truly are. It often implies a lack of recognition for true value or potential.

underestimated

/**American phonetic transcription:** ˌʌndərˈɛstəˌmeɪtɪd/ /**British phonetic transcription:** ˌʌndərˈɛstɪmeɪtɪd/

Definition:

To judge something as less important, skillful, or valuable than it really is.

Synonyms:

undervalued, underrated, misjudged, belittled

Part of Speech:

verb, adjective

Antonyms:

overestimated, overvalued

Common Collocations:

underestimate the importance, underestimate the impact, underestimate someone's ability

Derivatives:

underestimation, underestimating

Usage Tips:

Use "underestimated" to describe when someone or something's true worth or ability is not fully recognized.

Common Phrases:

don't underestimate me, underestimated the challenge, an underestimated force

Etymology:

Derived from "under-" (below) + "estimate" (to assess), first used in the early 19th century.

Examples:

  • 1. She underestimated his determination and lost the race.
  • 2. Many people underestimated the difficulty of climbing that mountain.
  • 3. The team’s talent was underestimated by their rivals.
  • 4. Never underestimate the power of kindness in daily life.

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