The presentation of something as being smaller, worse, or less important than it actually is
a master of English understatement
to say I am delighted is an understatement
a statement that is restrained in ironic contrast to what might have been said
(understated) exhibiting restrained good taste; "the room is pleasant and understated"
Understatement is a form of speech which contains an expression of less strength than would be expected. This is not to be confused with euphemism, where a polite phrase is used in place of a harsher or more offensive expression.
a disclosure or statement that is less than complete; restraint or lack of emphasis, especially for ironic effect
A counseling technique wherein a sentence is repeated by the client (usually a direction suggested by the counselor), phrased as an understatement, and far away in place and time from the client. The usual format of understatement is: "It sometimes happens that... (e.g. ...
A statement which lessens or minimizes the importance of what is meant. For example, if one were in a desert where the temperature was 125 degrees, and if one wee to describe thermal conditions saying "It's a little warm today." that would be an understamement. ...
To state something less strongly than the situation would suggest.
language that avoids obvious emphasis or embellishment; litotes is one form of it.
A form of irony, also called litotes, in which something is represented as less than it really is, with the intent of drawing attention to and emphasizing the opposite meaning.
atenuación or meiosis (the opposite of hyperbole, often for ironic effect -- "Un golpe de ataúd en tierra es algo/ perfectamente serio");
Deliberate underplaying or undervaluing of a thing to create emphasis or irony
Expressing an idea with less emphasis or in a lesser degree than is the actual case. The opposite of hyperbole. Understatement is employed for ironic emphasis. Example:
set forth in restrained, moderate, or weak terms
deliberately expresses an idea as less important than it actually is, either for ironic emphasis or for politeness and tact. ...
The literary technique of saying less than is actually meant, generally in an ironic way.
Understatement refers to the intentional downplaying of a situation’s significance, often for ironic or humorous effect.
A statement that says less than what it means. example - "This is a novel type of warfare that produces no destruction, except to life." E. B. White "We know that poverty is unpleasant. ...
to say something in a manner that is less powerful than the occasion calls for. Often connected with irony because it too is based on contrast and comparison.
A form of irony. In understatement the author says less that what he really means.
A way of emphasizing an idea by talking about it in a restrained manner. Example: “Aunt Polly is prejudiced against snakes.” (She was terrified of them.)
A figure of speech that consists of saying less than one means, or of saying what one means with less force than the occasion warrants. “Hitler was not a nice guy” would be one example of understatement, as would, “Yeah, Hurricane Katrina made New Orleans a bit damp.”
The opposite of hyperbole, understatement (or litotes) refers to a figure of speech that says less than is intended. Understatement usually has an ironic effect, and sometimes may be used for comic purposes, as in Mark Twain's statement, "The reports of my death are greatly exaggerated. ...
Stating an idea with restraint to emphasize what is being talked about
a figure of speech in which a weaker statement than is necessary is made in order to create a humorous or powerful effect
a figure of speech that intentionally describes something in a diminished way by represending much less in magnitude or importance than it really is. The effect of this may be to call more attention to the statement itself. On page 21 of "The Wonderful Adventures... ...