Skip to main content
to underrate

to underrate

3 3.7
To think someone has less ability or importance than they really have
  • verb
  • /ˌʌndərˈreɪt/
translation icon : subestimar
  • How did so many scholars and political professionals underrate his prospects so badly?

Work life balance is underrated cause balance is underrated.

Autoplay Next

Examples

  • Many people underrate the importance of good communication in a relationship.

  • Master music teachers never underrate the musical ability of their students.

    Academic text (1990)
  • We can never underrate how important that is.

  • You underrate him if you think that.

  • Why do I constantly underrate you?

    Fiction book (1992)
  • Do not underrate Lin just because his business value is so unique.

    Blog text (13)
  • Far be it from me to underrate the sufferings of the Irish people.

    Academic text (1999)
  • Some scholars still underrate the role that warfare played in the Maya past.

    Academic text (2003)
  • I fear we've underrated our friend.

  • We should not underrate the people to whom we peddle our wares.

    Academic text (1994)

Synonyms

to underestimate
vsto underrate
299 3.1

To think someone or something is less important than they really are

is the general act of valuing lower rather than measuring precisely
to understate
vsto underrate
18 5.2

To make something seem smaller or less important than it really is

means to judge value lower rather than just soften its description
to undervalue
vsto underrate
8 4.8

Think something or someone is less important than they really are

is the same idea expressed without tone difference
to undersell
vsto underrate
2 4.5

Make something seem less important or valuable than it really is

refers to judging value itself rather than simply presenting it as small
to sell short
vsto underrate
1 5.7

To think a person or thing cannot do as much as they really can

focuses on estimating lower rather than acknowledging true worth
to misprise
vsto underrate
  • Archaic
1 9.9

To think someone or something is not important

is the standard act of judging as less rather than lacking appreciation
to hold cheap
vsto underrate
  • Literature
7.2

To think someone or something has little value

is a neutral estimation while this is more dismissive and contemptuous

Antonyms

50 5.1

To think someone or something is better than they really are

How Valued

to overvalue
13 5.8
value
1.3
to underrate
3 3.7

Surface Forms

underrate infinitive
underrated past
underrated past participle
underrating present participle
underrates third person singular

Morphology

underrate = rate (transparent) = under + rate + under

The productive prefix 'under-' (meaning 'insufficiently' or 'below') combines with the verb 'rate' to yield a clear meaning 'to evaluate as lower than deserved'.

Etymology

Underrate combines under ('below') and rate ('to judge or value'), so it means to judge a person or thing as less in ability or importance than it really is.