underrepresent
Show fewer than reality
To underrepresent is to represent something at a lower proportion than its actual occurrence or importance.
Statistics may underrepresent certain groups if sampling methods miss them.
Media coverage can underrepresent minority viewpoints.
The passive form is common: Women are underrepresented in engineering.
The related noun is underrepresentation.
Treat as insignificant
- sidelineSecondary business pursuit
- disenfranchiseRevoke civic participation rights
- excludeBar from participation
- overlookMiss or commanding view
neglect · ignore · omit · silence · erase · whitewash · gatekeep · tokenize
Unfilled space between
- imbalanceLack of proportion
- disproportionLack of proper balance
- inequityUnfair distribution or treatment
- shortfallFailure to reach quota
deficiency · undercount · undercounting · skew · asymmetry · discrepancy · mismatch · distortion
Smaller part of whole
- womenFemale adults collectively
- indigenousOriginating in a region
- disabledMade unable to function
- LGBTQSexual and gender minorities
elderly · immigrants · refugees · rural · low-income · working-class · underserved · voiceless
Diminish perceived importance
- diminishTo make smaller
- understateExpress with restraint
- underestimateJudge too low
- undervalueEstimate below true worth
trivialize · belittle · depreciate · underplay · soft-pedal · deemphasize · discount · shortchange
Twist from straight
- slantOblique angle or bias
- distortTwist from original form
- prejudicePreformed unfavorable opinion
- discriminationUnjust differential treatment
partiality · unfairness · favoritism · stereotype · inequity · bigotry · sexism · racism
marginalize
Treat as insignificant
- sidelineSecondary business pursuit
- disenfranchiseRevoke civic participation rights
- excludeBar from participation
overlook · neglect · ignore · omit · silence · erase · whitewash · gatekeep · tokenize · dismiss
gap
Unfilled space between
- imbalanceLack of proportion
- disproportionLack of proper balance
- inequityUnfair distribution or treatment
shortfall · deficiency · undercount · undercounting · skew · asymmetry · discrepancy · mismatch · distortion · nonresponse
minority
Smaller part of whole
- womenFemale adults collectively
- indigenousOriginating in a region
- disabledMade unable to function
LGBTQ · elderly · immigrants · refugees · rural · low-income · working-class · underserved · voiceless · disenfranchised
downplay
Diminish perceived importance
- diminishTo make smaller
- understateExpress with restraint
- underestimateJudge too low
undervalue · trivialize · belittle · depreciate · underplay · soft-pedal · deemphasize · discount · shortchange · undersell
skew
Twist from straight
discrimination · partiality · unfairness · favoritism · stereotype · inequity · bigotry · sexism · racism · ageism
underrepresentoverrepresent
Show as larger share
overstate · overemphasize · overemphasise · overcount · exaggerate
- underrepresented groupsPopulations lacking proportional inclusion
underrepresented, underrepresentation, underrepresenting, underrepresents