undergravfy
To intentionally or mistakenly downplay the seriousness, weight, or significance of a situation or problem. It describes the act of treating a grave matter as if it were trivial or of little consequence.
Examples
3 of 5Don't undergravfy the importance of getting enough sleep before your final exams.
Don't undergravfy the importance of getting enough sleep before your final exams.
The committee tended to undergravfy the structural risks inherent in the new bridge design.
The committee tended to undergravfy the structural risks inherent in the new bridge design.
I know you're relaxed, but don't undergravfy how upset she will be if you miss the dinner.
I know you're relaxed, but don't undergravfy how upset she will be if you miss the dinner.
Antonyms
Word Family
Memory Tip
Think of the word 'Gravity.' If you 'under-grav-fy' something, you are making it feel like it has less 'gravity' (weight) than it actually does.
Quick Quiz
The CEO was criticized for trying to _____ the data breach during the annual press conference.
Correct!
The correct answer is: undergravfy
Examples
Don't undergravfy the importance of getting enough sleep before your final exams.
everydayDon't undergravfy the importance of getting enough sleep before your final exams.
The committee tended to undergravfy the structural risks inherent in the new bridge design.
formalThe committee tended to undergravfy the structural risks inherent in the new bridge design.
I know you're relaxed, but don't undergravfy how upset she will be if you miss the dinner.
informalI know you're relaxed, but don't undergravfy how upset she will be if you miss the dinner.
Historical analyses often undergravfy the impact of minor local revolts on the collapse of the empire.
academicHistorical analyses often undergravfy the impact of minor local revolts on the collapse of the empire.
We cannot afford to undergravfy the threat posed by our competitors' recent patent acquisition.
businessWe cannot afford to undergravfy the threat posed by our competitors' recent patent acquisition.
Antonyms
Word Family
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
to undergravfy the stakes
to undergravfy the stakes
stop undergravfying the truth
stop undergravfying the truth
undergravfy a crisis
undergravfy a crisis
Often Confused With
Underestimate refers to miscalculating quantity or ability, while undergravfy specifically refers to miscalculating the seriousness or weight of a situation.
Usage Notes
Use this word primarily in contexts where a person is failing to acknowledge the severity of a crisis or a significant event. It often carries a critical tone, suggesting that the person's lack of seriousness is a mistake.
Common Mistakes
Learners often use the noun form 'gravity' where they should use this verb, or they incorrectly spell the suffix as '-fry' instead of '-fy'.
Memory Tip
Think of the word 'Gravity.' If you 'under-grav-fy' something, you are making it feel like it has less 'gravity' (weight) than it actually does.
Word Origin
A construction using the prefix 'under-' (below), the Latin root 'grav' (heavy/serious), and the verbalizing suffix '-fy' (to make).
Grammar Patterns
Quick Quiz
The CEO was criticized for trying to _____ the data breach during the annual press conference.
Correct!
The correct answer is: undergravfy
Related Vocabulary
Related Words
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C1Characterized by having an underlying purpose or a secondary, subtle intention that supports a main goal. It describes actions, statements, or strategies that contain a hidden layer of meaning or a subordinate objective that is not immediately obvious.
abcognacy
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transdynary
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recredive
C1A person who yields, backslides, or returns to a previous undesirable habit or state of mind. In specialized or archaic contexts, it refers to an individual who recants their beliefs or fails to uphold a commitment.
obdomance
C1Characterized by an unyielding, persistent, and often stubborn refusal to change one's opinion, position, or course of action. It describes a state of being firmly resistant to external influence or logical persuasion.
adpulsward
C1A technical or archaic term referring to a directional movement, inclination, or pull toward a central pulsating source or point of attraction. It describes the state of being driven forward or inward toward a specific impulse or signal.
underlaudency
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semifidor
C1Describes an individual or entity that exhibits only partial loyalty or a hesitant, non-committal stance toward a cause or person. It implies a state of being cautiously supportive without offering full commitment or total trust.
oververbery
C1Describes language, writing, or speech that is excessively wordy or redundant to the point of being tedious. It refers to the habit of using more words than necessary, often obscuring the intended message with unnecessary fluff.
hypertheist
C1To attribute an absolute or extreme divine status to a person, concept, or entity, often exceeding the boundaries of traditional religious belief. It describes the act of elevating a subject to the level of a supreme, all-encompassing deity.
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