1 underrate | Definition of underrate

underrate

verb
un·​der·​rate | \ ˌən-dər-ˈrāt How to pronounce underrate (audio) , ˌən-də-\
underrated; underrating; underrates

Definition of underrate

transitive verb

: to rate or value (something or someone) too low : undervalue His off-the-cuff improvisations, his airy tendency to throw out half-baked ideas, caused others to underrate his continuity of purpose …— Arthur Schlesinger, Jr. As I watched the film for the first time …, it seemed to me that its effect was to exploit innocence and violence in ways that overrate the power of the first and underrate the complexity of the second …— Vincent Canby — see also underrated

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Synonyms & Antonyms for underrate

Synonyms

underestimate, undervalue

Antonyms

overestimate, overrate, overvalue

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Examples of underrate in a Sentence

She underrated her student's ability. it's perhaps the most underrated film of the last decade

Recent Examples on the Web

Fantasy owners always underrate him as a passer and seem to negate his value as a runner. Eddie Brown, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Fantasy Football 2018: Cleveland Browns Preview," 4 July 2018 Comment: The desk clerk wasn’t the only one who underrated Curry, starting with all the in-state ACC teams that snubbed him in the recruiting process. Scott Fowler, charlotteobserver, "In 2009, Stephen Curry had NBA draft destination in mind, and it wasn't Golden State," 18 June 2018 Moreover, how countries treat migrants is an important advertisement of their character and values, which Americans underrate to their cost. The Economist, "A cruel and unusual border policy," 2 June 2018 And Frost agreed, contending the Playoff’s selection committee underrated the Knights in every weekly ranking. George Schroeder, USA TODAY, "Alabama coach Nick Saban praises UCF but says that 'self-proclaimed is not the same'," 15 May 2018 The Bonnies, underrated by the selection committee and many fans, have a dangerous backcourt with Jaylen Adams (19.8 ppg) and Matt Mobley (18.5). Joe Sullivan, BostonGlobe.com, "A preview of Thursday’s NCAA Tournament games," 14 Mar. 2018 Steven: Charles is severely underrating Jodi, who was my No. 1. Steven Ruiz, For The Win, "The 20 greatest MTV 'The Challenge' competitors of all time, ranked," 23 Jan. 2018 Arkansas and Connecticut both think they were underrated by media projections in their respective conferences. Eric Bolin, ajc, "Arkansas basketball vs. UConn: Preview, how to watch, TV," 26 Nov. 2017 October 30 and 31—it’s dressing up as McDowell’s, the fast food joint featured in the 1998 underrated Eddie Murphy comedy Coming to America. Lisa Beebe, Los Angeles Magazine, "The Restaurant from Coming to America is Coming to Los Angeles," 25 Oct. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'underrate.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of underrate

1632, in the meaning defined above

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More Definitions for underrate

underrate

verb

English Language Learners Definition of underrate

: to rate or value (someone or something) too low

underrate

verb
un·​der·​rate | \ ˌən-dər-ˈrāt How to pronounce underrate (audio) \
underrated; underrating

Kids Definition of underrate

: to rate too low : undervalue The coach underrated the player's ability.

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More from Merriam-Webster on underrate

Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with underrate

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for underrate

Spanish Central: Translation of underrate

Nglish: Translation of underrate for Spanish Speakers