In fact, numbers based on newspaper reports grossly understate the amount of job destruction.

Separatists claim the numbers understate the carnage by at least half.

Industry officials say the number of announced projects understates the level of interest.

Impressive as they are, the numbers understate the even more striking changes in individual product areas.

She said the number of cases "vastly understates the problem" because most residents simply leave rather than fight.

Law enforcement officials say the number of witness killings that come to public attention may sharply understate the problem.

That number actually understates the complexity of the investment.

But that number, large as it is, understates his total pay package.

Those numbers, horrifying enough, may understate the case - many people, the police say, are too terrified to report crimes.

The latest numbers, however, may understate the scope of the problem.