Noun 1. understatement - a statement that is restrained in ironic contrast to what might have been said
statement - a message that is stated or declared; a communication (oral or written) setting forth particulars or facts etc; "according to his statement he was in London on that day"
litotes, meiosis - understatement for rhetorical effect (especially when expressing an affirmative by negating its contrary); "saying `I was not a little upset' when you mean `I was very upset' is an example of litotes"
( rachelswipe with a fork, Mon 16 Jul 2012, 10:30, Reply)