What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
undersell
Example
The company decided to undersell their competitors in order to gain more market share. [undersell: verb]
Example
The salesman tried to undersell the product by emphasizing its flaws instead of its benefits. [underselling: gerund or present participle]
undercut
Example
The store decided to undercut their competitors by offering the same product at a lower price. [undercut: verb]
Example
The company decided to undercut their prices in order to attract more customers. [undercutting: gerund or present participle]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Undercut is more commonly used than undersell in everyday language. Undercut is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while undersell is less common and refers to a specific type of selling strategy.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between undersell and undercut?
Both undersell and undercut are typically associated with informal or business contexts, but can be used in formal settings as well.
