Definitions

1. noun

a figure of speech in which an affirmative is expressed by negating its opposite

“The politician’s speech was full of litotes, using phrases like ‘not that bad’ to describe the economic situation.”

2. noun

a rhetorical device in which an idea is conveyed by emphasizing what is left unsaid

“The poet’s use of litotes added depth and complexity to the poem’s themes.”

3. verb

to express something indirectly or by implication

“The writer decided to litotes the truth in order to avoid offending the subject.”