hypobole

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noun

A rhetorical figure in which several things are mentioned that seem to make claims against the argument, or in favor of the opposing side, but are then refuted one by one.

Opposite
hyperbole
OriginAncient Greek ὑποβολή →
Scrabble 18
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Meanings

nounhypobole (countable and uncountable, plural hypoboles)

plural hypoboles

  1. countablerhetoricuncountableA rhetorical figure in which several things are mentioned that seem to make claims against the argument, or in favor of the opposing side, but are then refuted one by one.
  2. countablerhetoricuncountableA deliberate, intentional understatement.

    Antonyms: hyperbole

Synonyms & antonyms

nounA deliberate, intentional understatement.

Opposite
hyperbole

Origin

  1. Ancient Greekὑποβολή“a throwing under, a suggesting”
  2. Englishhypobole

From Ancient Greek ὑποβολή (hupobolḗ, “a throwing under, a suggesting”), from βάλλω (bállō, “to throw”).

More words from Ancient Greek

Full word history & related roots →

Translations

Spanish hipóbole
  • hipóboleTranslations

Rhymes & wordplay

Anagrams

lyophobe
Cite this entry
APA

hypobole. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 3, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/hypobole

MLA

“hypobole.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/hypobole. Accessed November 3, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “hypobole,” accessed November 3, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/hypobole.

Source: hypobole on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.