1. of, relating to, or expressed by litotes; using understatement for rhetorical effect, especially by denying the opposite of what is meant
Usage: literary; rhetorical term

Examples

• The phrase 'not bad' is a litotic expression meaning something is actually good.
• His litotic comment 'She's no fool' was a clever way of praising her intelligence.
• The author used litotic language to create a subtle, ironic tone throughout the novel.
• Saying 'That's not the worst idea' is a litotic way of approving a suggestion.
• The litotic understatement made the compliment feel more genuine and less forced.