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underestimate
This term carries a strong connotation of misjudgment and often implies a strategic error or a lack of foresight. When applied to people, it suggests a failure to recognize hidden strengths or potential, frequently leading to a surprising or humbling outcome for the person making the judgment.
In technical or financial contexts, the word describes a quantitative failure. It is frequently paired with intensifiers like gross or severe to emphasize the magnitude of the error, distinguishing a slight miscalculation from a catastrophic failure in planning.
Meanings
To think that someone is less capable, powerful, or skilled than they actually are.
Examples
Do not underestimate the power of a determined student.
I completely underestimated how long it would take to get to the airport.
The company underestimated the demand for the new product.
He is a quiet man, but you should never underestimate him.
I think I underestimated the difficulty of this puzzle.
The general made a fatal underestimate of the enemy forces.
She underestimated the amount of flour needed for the cake.
They underestimated the strength of the storm before it hit the coast.