What Is Litotes?

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Anneda Nettleton, Bachelor’s in Middle Grade Education |
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Anneda N. is an experienced instructional designer and educator with over 22 years in K–12 education. She specializes in standards-aligned quizzes, curriculum development, literacy programs, and academic writing. Holds a Bachelor’s in Middle Grades Education and a Rank 1 Reading & Writing Specialist credential.
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Quizzes Created: 8156 | Total Attempts: 9,588,805
| Attempts: 11 | Questions: 13 | Updated: Jan 5, 2026
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1. What is litotes?

Explanation

Litotes expresses something positive by denying its opposite (for example, “not bad” means good).

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About This Quiz
What Is Litotes? - Quiz

Sometimes writers don’t say things directly — and that’s exactly what this quiz explores. In this introduction to litotes, you’ll learn how writers use understatement and double negatives to express positive ideas in a subtle way. You’ll identify clear examples, match phrases to their real meanings, and practice telling litotes... see moreapart from direct statements. By the end, you’ll understand how phrases like “not bad” or “not uncommon” actually communicate praise or emphasis.
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2. Which sentence is an example of litotes?

Explanation

“Wasn’t terrible” is an understated way to say the movie was fairly good.

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3. Litotes often use words like not or no to soften meaning.

Explanation

Litotes commonly use words like “not” or “no” to express understatement.

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4. Which phrase uses litotes correctly?

Explanation

“Isn’t unlike” is a double negative that means similar.

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5. Which of these is NOT litotes?

Explanation

This sentence is direct and does not use understatement or a double negative.

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6. “He’s not the worst player on the team.” means:

Explanation

This phrase understates ability to suggest he is at least average or better.

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7. Litotes can be used to sound modest or polite.

Explanation

Litotes often soften statements to sound modest or polite.

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8. “The trip wasn’t too unpleasant.” means:

Explanation

This phrase gently suggests the trip was pleasant.

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9. “He’s no ordinary man.” means:

Explanation

The phrase understates praise to suggest he is exceptional.

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10. “She’s not exactly thrilled” means:

Explanation

This litotes downplays excitement to suggest disappointment.

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11. Authors use litotes to:

Explanation

Litotes allow writers to be subtle, polite, or ironic.

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12. “She’s not without charm.” means:

Explanation

By denying the lack of charm, the sentence says she is charming.

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13. “You’re not wrong.” means:

Explanation

This litotes agrees in an understated way.

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Anneda Nettleton |Bachelor’s in Middle Grade Education |
K–12 Expert
Anneda N. is an experienced instructional designer and educator with over 22 years in K–12 education. She specializes in standards-aligned quizzes, curriculum development, literacy programs, and academic writing. Holds a Bachelor’s in Middle Grades Education and a Rank 1 Reading & Writing Specialist credential.
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What is litotes?
Which sentence is an example of litotes?
Litotes often use words like not or no to soften meaning.
Which phrase uses litotes correctly?
Which of these is NOT litotes?
“He’s not the worst player on the team.” means:
Litotes can be used to sound modest or polite.
“The trip wasn’t too unpleasant.” means:
“He’s no ordinary man.” means:
“She’s not exactly thrilled” means:
Authors use litotes to:
“She’s not without charm.” means:
“You’re not wrong.” means:
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