Understatement

Definitions

1. A figure of speech whereby something is made to seem smaller or less important than it actually is, either through phrasing or lack of emphasis, often for ironic effect.
   rhetoric, uncountable, usually
2. An instance of such phrasing or lack of emphasis; an incomplete statement.
   countable, usually
3. An incomplete disclosure that intentionally withholds relevant information.
   uncountable, usually

Equivalents

Examples

“A master of understatement”

“And that mode of expression is very demurring and self-deprecating. Victorian English was all about understatement.”

“Now that's an understatement.”

CEFR level