An understatement is a figure of speech where a statement makes a situation seem less important or severe than it truly is. Some synonyms for "understatement" include downplay, trivialize, diminish, minimize, play down, soft-pedal, and belittle. These words all convey the idea of making something appear less significant than it actually is. Understatement is often used for comedic effect or to show modesty, but it can also be used to hide the true magnitude of a situation. Synonyms for understatement can be used to describe something that is being downplayed intentionally or unintentionally, often to mask the true feelings or facts behind a situation.