📚ap english literature review

Understatement

Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated August 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 examWritten by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated August 2025

Definition

Understatement is a figure of speech where the speaker intentionally downplays the significance or exaggerates less than what is actually true, often for comedic effect or to create emphasis.

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