“To say the least” often signals deliberate understatement: the reality is stronger, worse, better, or more surprising than the words just used. “To put it mildly” is the closest general alternative, while other phrases fit criticism, emphasis, or restrained wording.
Choose the Phrase by What You Are Softening
- To put it mildly
- That’s putting it mildly
- To put it lightly
- That’s an understatement
- At the very least
- To put it gently
- To put it politely
- To be charitable
- Without overstating it
- If anything, that understates it
- In the mildest terms
- To phrase it gently
- To put it conservatively
- Putting it mildly
To put it mildly
The closest general alternative, used when your wording deliberately understates the strength of the situation.
Example: The launch was chaotic, to put it mildly.
That’s putting it mildly
Use this as a response when someone else has already made an understated comment.
Example: “The meeting was tense.” “That’s putting it mildly.”
To put it lightly
A common informal variation of “to put it mildly,” again signaling understatement.
Example: The delay was inconvenient, to put it lightly.
That’s an understatement
Use this when you want to state directly that the previous description is much weaker than the reality.
Example: Calling the repair expensive is an understatement.
At the very least
This can overlap when you are stating the minimum that can reasonably be said or claimed, though it does not always carry an ironic tone.
Example: At the very least, the process needs a thorough review.
To put it gently
Use this before a softened criticism or uncomfortable observation.
Example: To put it gently, the proposal needs more work.
To put it politely
This signals that you are choosing a more courteous or restrained expression than you might otherwise use.
Example: To put it politely, his response was not helpful.
To be charitable
Use this when giving the most generous reasonable interpretation of something that could be judged more harshly.
Example: To be charitable, the instructions were incomplete.
Without overstating it
This phrase emphasizes deliberate restraint and is useful in analytical or formal writing.
Example: Without overstating it, the change had a major effect on the final result.
If anything, that understates it
Use this when the description is technically true but still fails to convey the full scale or intensity.
Example: The situation was difficult; if anything, that understates it.
In the mildest terms
A formal phrase for presenting a strong point in deliberately softened language.
Example: In the mildest terms, the evidence raises serious questions.
To phrase it gently
This is similar to “to put it gently” and suits tactful criticism or sensitive discussion.
Example: To phrase it gently, their expectations were unrealistic.
To put it conservatively
Use this when giving a deliberately cautious estimate, description, or judgment rather than the strongest possible one.
Example: To put it conservatively, the project is several weeks behind schedule.
Putting it mildly
This shortened form works naturally after a statement and has the same understated effect as “to put it mildly.”
Example: The room was crowded, putting it mildly.