Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

hypobole

noun

/hɪpəˈboʊliː/

Definition

A rhetorical device that involves the use of a deliberate understatement to create emphasis or to produce a specific effect in writing or speech.

Examples

In describing the overwhelming noise of the crowd, she used hypobole by saying it was just a “little bit noisy.”
The author’s use of hypobole in his novel made the character’s struggles seem less significant, enhancing the narrative’s dramatic impact.

Meaning

Hypobole is often used to make an assertion less forceful, which can provoke thought or highlight irony. It plays a significant role in effective communication by allowing the speaker or writer to convey a message subtly while still engaging the audience.