underestimates

Misjudges as less

Underestimates means to judge something as less than it actually is—less important, less difficult, less capable.

You might underestimate the time a project will take, or underestimate an opponent's skill: Never underestimate a mother protecting her children.

As a noun, an underestimate is such a judgment: That budget figure turned out to be a serious underestimate.

misjudgment

miscalculate

Compute incorrectly

underrateJudge below true merit
undervalueEstimate below true worth
misjudgeEvaluate incorrectly

misread · underappreciate · misreckon · misestimate · shortchange · sell short · write off · undercount · lowball · second-guess

disregard

dismiss

Send away or reject

ignoreRefuse to notice
neglectFailure to provide care
overlookMiss or commanding view

discount · brush off · shrug off · wave away · downplay · slight · snub · disparage · disregard · unheeded

worth

undervalue

Estimate below true worth

underpriceCharge below value
devalueReduce perceived worth
depreciateLose value over time

cheapen · shortchange · lowball · mark down · sell short · bargain · underappreciate · underrate · hidden gem · sleeper

potential

capability

Power to accomplish tasks

talentInborn aptitude
abilityPower to do something
capacityMaximum amount containable

promise · aptitude · strength · competence · skill · hidden · latent · untapped · dormant · unrealized

Opposites

accuracy of assessment

underestimatesoverestimates

Gauges too high

overrates · overvalues · exaggerates · inflates · overstates

regard or valuation

underestimatesoverestimates

Gauges too high

overrates · overvalues · idealizes · glorifies · emphasizes

degree of attention or emphasis

underestimatesemphasizes

Gives special importance to

highlights · magnifies · amplifies · overemphasizes · plays up

Family

underestimate, underestimated, underestimating, underestimation

Familiarity: Top 50,000
Profile: Known to kids · Used worldwide · Timeless · Abstract · Everyday, not technical · Rated G