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Understatement: alternatives and connections

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26,102 words currently have published synonym-style alternatives
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Understatement

The act of understating, or the condition of being understated; that which is understated; a statement below the truth.

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47 useful connections shown 5 reviewed relationships and 42 broader connections.
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Reviewed alternatives and contrasts

These links were deliberately created. Use the interchangeability score and guidance to judge whether a word will work in your sentence.

Narrower term 2

Litotes 76% connected

A diminution or softening of statement for the sake of avoiding censure or increasing the effect by contrast with the moderation shown in the form of…

oewn 2023 0% interchangeable

Open English WordNet identifies the related term as a narrower or more specific lexical category.

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Meiosis 76% connected

Diminution; a species of hyperbole, representing a thing as being less than it really is.

oewn 2023 0% interchangeable

Open English WordNet identifies the related term as a narrower or more specific lexical category.

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Broader term 1

Statement 76% connected

The act of stating, reciting, or presenting, orally or in paper; as, to interrupt a speaker in the statement of his case.

oewn 2023 0% interchangeable

Open English WordNet identifies the related term as a broader lexical category for at least one sense.

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Antonym 2

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Words from the same subject

These terms belong to the same specialist field or topic. They help you explore the subject, but they are not automatically synonyms.

Allocution noun · 78% connection

(rhetoric) a formal or authoritative address that advises or exhorts

Used in the same subject area: Rhetoric, Literature and rhetoric.
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Exordium noun · 78% connection

(rhetoric) the introductory section of an oration or discourse

Used in the same subject area: Rhetoric, Literature and rhetoric.
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Narration noun · 78% connection

(rhetoric) the second section of an oration in which the facts are set forth

Used in the same subject area: Rhetoric, Literature and rhetoric.
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Parenesis noun · 78% connection

(rhetoric) exhortation; admonition.; "In Deuteronomy it is often impossible to separate parenesis from history."

Used in the same subject area: Rhetoric, Literature and rhetoric.
Definition Compare
Peroration noun · 78% connection

(rhetoric) the concluding section of an oration; "he summarized his main points in his peroration"

Used in the same subject area: Rhetoric, Literature and rhetoric.
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Ploce noun · 78% connection

(rhetoric) repetition to gain special emphasis or extend meaning

Used in the same subject area: Rhetoric, Literature and rhetoric.
Definition Compare
Tapinosis noun · 78% connection

(rhetoric) A figure of speech whereby something is given less importance by the name given it than it merits.; "The last and perhaps t…

Used in the same subject area: Rhetoric, Literature and rhetoric.
Definition Compare
Counterargument noun · 78% connection

an argument offered in opposition to another argument

Used in the same subject area: Rhetoric, Literature and rhetoric.
Definition Compare
Rhetorical device noun · 78% connection

a use of language that creates a literary effect (but often without regard for literal significance)

Used in the same subject area: Rhetoric, Literature and rhetoric.
Definition Compare
Rhetorical question noun · 78% connection

a statement that is formulated as a question but that is not supposed to be answered; "he liked to make his points with rhetorical que…

Used in the same subject area: Rhetoric, Literature and rhetoric.
Definition Compare
Analogy noun · 78% connection

the religious belief that between creature and creator no similarity can be found so great but that the dissimilarity is always greate…

Used in the same subject area: Rhetoric, Literature and rhetoric.
Definition Compare
Anaphora noun · 78% connection

repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of successive clauses

Used in the same subject area: Rhetoric, Literature and rhetoric.
Definition Compare
Antithesis noun · 78% connection

exact opposite; "his theory is the antithesis of mine"

Used in the same subject area: Rhetoric, Literature and rhetoric.
Definition Compare
Chiasmus noun · 78% connection

inversion in the second of two parallel phrases

Used in the same subject area: Rhetoric, Literature and rhetoric.
Definition Compare
Commiseration noun · 78% connection

a feeling of sympathy and sorrow for the misfortunes of others; "the blind are too often objects of pity"

Used in the same subject area: Rhetoric, Literature and rhetoric.
Definition Compare
Correspondence noun · 78% connection

similarity by virtue of corresponding

Used in the same subject area: Rhetoric, Literature and rhetoric.
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Doctrine of analogy noun · 78% connection

the religious belief that between creature and creator no similarity can be found so great but that the dissimilarity is always greate…

Used in the same subject area: Rhetoric, Literature and rhetoric.
Definition Compare
Epanaphora noun · 78% connection

repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of successive clauses

Used in the same subject area: Rhetoric, Literature and rhetoric.
Definition Compare
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Words connected by meaning

Their definitions overlap or refer to similar ideas. Use these to widen your search, then compare the exact meanings.

Appeal verb · 78% connection

To call upon another to decide a question controverted, to corroborate a statement, to vindicate one's rights, etc.; as, I appeal to a…

Its definition shares important concepts with this word: understating, condition, understated, statement, truth.
Definition Compare
Axiom adjective · 78% connection

A self-evident and necessary truth, or a proposition whose truth is so evident as first sight that no reasoning or demonstration can m…

Its definition shares important concepts with this word: understating, condition, understated, statement, truth.
Definition Compare
Believe noun · 78% connection

To exercise belief in; to credit upon the authority or testimony of another; to be persuaded of the truth of, upon evidence furnished…

Its definition shares important concepts with this word: understating, condition, understated, statement, truth.
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Brief adjective · 78% connection

An abridgment or concise statement of a client's case, made out for the instruction of counsel in a trial at law. This word is applied…

Its definition shares important concepts with this word: understating, condition, understated, statement, truth.
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Budget noun · 78% connection

The annual financial statement which the British chancellor of the exchequer makes in the House of Commons. It comprehends a general v…

Its definition shares important concepts with this word: understating, condition, understated, statement, truth.
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Consequently adverb · 78% connection

Therefore or as a result.

Its definition shares important concepts with this word: understating, condition, understated, statement, truth.
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Contradict verb · 78% connection

To assert the contrary of; to oppose in words; to take issue with; to gainsay; to deny the truth of, as of a statement or a speaker; t…

Its definition shares important concepts with this word: understating, condition, understated, statement, truth.
Definition Compare
Contradiction noun · 78% connection

(logic) a statement that is necessarily false; "the statement ‘he is brave and he is not brave’ is a contradiction"

Its definition shares important concepts with this word: understating, condition, understated, statement, truth.
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Contradiction in terms noun · 78% connection

(logic) a statement that is necessarily false; "the statement ‘he is brave and he is not brave’ is a contradiction"

Its definition shares important concepts with this word: understating, condition, understated, statement, truth.
Definition Compare
Denial noun · 78% connection

A refusal to admit the truth of a statement, charge, imputation, etc.; assertion of the untruth of a thing stated or maintained; a con…

Its definition shares important concepts with this word: understating, condition, understated, statement, truth.
Definition Compare
Enunciate verb · 78% connection

To make a formal statement of; to announce; to proclaim; to declare, as a truth.

Its definition shares important concepts with this word: understating, condition, understated, statement, truth.
Definition Compare
Evidence noun · 78% connection

That which makes evident or manifest; that which furnishes, or tends to furnish, proof; any mode of proof; the ground of belief or jud…

Its definition shares important concepts with this word: understating, condition, understated, statement, truth.
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