Understatement is a rhetorical device or figure of speech in which a situation, event, or characteristic is presented as being less significant or important than it actually is. It is often used for irony, humor, or to emphasize a point by contrast.
For example, saying "It's just a scratch" to describe a large gash on a car would be an example of understatement. Instead of exaggerating or dramatizing the situation, the speaker downplays it, which can create a humorous or ironic effect.
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