(n.) A diminution or softening of statement for the sake of avoiding censure or increasing the effect by contrast with the moderation shown in the form of expression; as, " a citizen of no mean city," that is, of an illustrious city.
Example Sentences:
(1) Overuse, of course, might be a problem, but if I were an editor I would also write a shouty note if I discovered that my writers were routinely overusing pre-digital-age and perfectly grown-up words such as litotes and plinth.
Understatement
Definition:
(n.) The act of understating, or the condition of being understated; that which is understated; a statement below the truth.
Example Sentences:
(1) RBS chief executive Ross McEwan apologised to consumers: “To say I’m angry would be an understatement.
(2) To say that the loss of BB King is devastating to the blues community is an understatement.
(3) With understatement, he added: "I don't feel comfortable."
(4) Heaton’s recollections are heavy on understatement.
(5) Since that strangely undeserved result in Madrid last November, PSG have gone on a run that makes convincing seem like an understatement.
(6) With some understatement, Thompson said: "We've weathered a series of lively storms and been through some trying as well as some very successful times together.
(7) In light of the opening episode, that seems like an understatement.
(8) That the act outraged public decency is an understatement.
(9) Unfortunately, we had to lower the number of people,” he says, in something of an understatement, adding that he used redeployment and natural turnover as much as possible.
(10) He starts by discussing the economic climate – saying that eurozone economic growth remains "weak" (an understatement), with fears over the crisis weighing on confidence and sentiment.
(11) Furthermore, perhaps calling Corbyn a “harsh critic” is an understatement in light of some of his statements.
(12) Courtesy the estate of Richard Hamilton That Hamilton was anti-capitalist is an understatement.
(13) That is an understatement because the expectations were high.
(14) To say that the 170-year history of the Co-op Group is complicated would be a howling understatement.
(15) Late-night tales: how a new crop of TV hosts is reinventing an old format Read more First, to say it’s a “hit” is an understatement – it’s a phenomenon.
(16) And to say Fifa has been dismayed by this burst of democratic dissent is an understatement.
(17) It will be difficult to keep them all happy.” That might be the understatement of the year.
(18) Volunteer complaints panel To say the public has little faith in the Independent Police Complaints Commission would be an understatement.
(19) With the organisation reeling from a string of corruption allegations against 10 of the 24-man executive committee, Jérôme Valcke , Fifa's secretary general, admitted with grim understatement that Fifa's reputation is: "Not at its highest."
(20) Fits like a brick To say that it is unclear quite how Beats and Apple would fit is be an understatement.