What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
litotes
Example
She's not the brightest bulb in the box. [litotes: negation]
Example
It's not a bad idea. [litotes: understatement]
meiosis
Example
I just won a small lottery prize, no big deal. [meiosis: downplaying]
Example
He's just the best player on the team, nothing special. [meiosis: minimizing]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Litotes is more common in everyday language, while meiosis is more common in literature and rhetoric.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between litotes and meiosis?
Meiosis is more formal than litotes, as it is more commonly used in literary and academic contexts.
