litotes
laɪˈtoʊtiːz
Definition Synonyms

Definition of litotes - Reverso English Dictionary

Noun

rhetoricTECH.understatement by negating the opposite for effectTECH.
  • Litotes often soften statements by negating the opposite meaning.
  • Saying 'not bad' is a common litotes.
  • His use of litotes added humor to the speech.
meiosis understatement
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Origin of litotes

Greek, litotes (plainness)

Terms with litotes included in their meaning

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notadv.
litotes
indicates the opposite in understatement
litotes
person who is unattractive or undesirable
rhetoric
litotes or diminution in rhetoric

View all translations of litotes

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  1. French:litote, ...
  2. German:Litotes, ...
  3. Italian:litote, ...
  4. Spanish:litote, ...
  5. Portuguese:litote, ...
  6. Chinese:对偶否定, ...
  7. Japanese:婉曲法, ...
  8. Arabic:تَعْبِيرٌ بَلَاغِيٌّ بِالنَّفْيِ, ...
  9. Hebrew:הַקְטָנָה בְּאֶמְצָעוּת הַכְּחָשָׁה, ...
  10. Russian:литота, ...
  11. Ukrainian:літотес, ...
  12. Hindi:लिटोट्स, ...

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