Understatement (Noun)
Meaning
A statement that is restrained in ironic contrast to what might have been said.
Classification
Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents.
Examples
- The politician's apology for the scandal was a gross understatement of the severity of the situation.
- When she said she was "a little tired" after running a marathon, it was a massive understatement.
- The reviewer's comment that the movie was "not great" was a huge understatement, considering it was one of the worst films of the year.
- The CEO's statement that the company was "facing some challenges" was a significant understatement, given the impending bankruptcy.
- Saying that the hurricane was "a bit of a nuisance" was a colossal understatement, considering the widespread destruction it caused.