Figures of Speech
Understatement

Deliberately downplay something for dramatic or humorous effect.

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What it is

A rhetorical device that deliberately presents something as less significant, intense, or important than it actually is. Often used to create ironic effect, show restraint, or allow the audience to infer the true magnitude of a situation.

Before & after

Before

“Losing our biggest client was terrible.”

After

“Losing our biggest client was... not ideal.”

When you’ll use it

Crisis communications: "We encountered a minor setback" (referring to a major problem)

Achievement announcements: "We did reasonably well this quarter" (after record profits)

Performance reviews: "There's room for improvement" (significant problems need addressing)

Product launches: "It's a decent upgrade" (revolutionary new features)

Pro tip

Deliver with a pause and slight smile to signal the understatement.

Questions & answers

3 questions

What is understatement as a rhetorical device?

Understatement deliberately presents something as less significant than it actually is, often for...

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When should I use understatement in business communication?

Use understatement to show modesty about achievements, acknowledge challenges without alarming st...

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How is understatement different from just being modest?

Understatement is a deliberate rhetorical choice for effect, while modesty is a character trait. ...

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Learn more

Wikipedia - Understatement
Scribbr - Understatement

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