underemphasis
Not enough highlighting
Underemphasis is insufficient stress or attention given to something that deserves more: The report's underemphasis on safety concerns troubled the committee.
The word typically appears in criticism—pointing out what was neglected or downplayed.
The opposite of overemphasis.
Understatement via negation
- meiosisGamete-producing cell division
- understatementIntentional diminishment for effect
- restraintControl over impulses
- subtletyFine distinction, easily missed
euphemism · hedging · qualification · irony · tact · diplomacy · reserve · modesty
Miss or commanding view
- ignoreRefuse to notice
- disregardWillful lack of attention
- omitLeave something out
- neglectFailure to provide care
inattention · oversight · pass over · skip · miss · slight · snub · shortchange
Express with restraint
- minimizeReduce to smallest extent
- underplayMinimize emphasis or expression
- play downDiminish perceived significance
- soft-pedalDiminish stated significance
trivialize · diminish · belittle · discount · gloss over · brush aside · make light of · whitewash
litotes
Understatement via negation
- meiosisGamete-producing cell division
- understatementIntentional diminishment for effect
- restraintControl over impulses
subtlety · euphemism · hedging · qualification · irony · tact · diplomacy · reserve · modesty · indirection
overlook
Miss or commanding view
neglect · inattention · oversight · pass over · skip · miss · slight · snub · shortchange · abandon
understate
Express with restraint
- minimizeReduce to smallest extent
- underplayMinimize emphasis or expression
- play downDiminish perceived significance
soft-pedal · trivialize · diminish · belittle · discount · gloss over · brush aside · make light of · whitewash · sugarcoat
underemphasisoveremphasis
Excessive importance placed
emphasis · exaggeration · overstatement · hyperbole · accentuation
emphasis, emphasize, emphatic, emphatically, emphasise, overemphasis, emphasised, emphasises, emphasising