overestimate

[oh-ver-es-tuh-meyt, oh-ver-es-tuh-mit]

verb (used with object)

overestimated, overestimating 

1. to estimate at too high a value, amount, rate, or the like.

   Don't overestimate the car's trade-in value.

2. to hold in too great esteem or to expect too much from.

   Don't overestimate him—he's no smarter than you are.

noun

1. an estimate that is too high.

overestimate

verb

1. (tr) to value or estimate too highly

noun

1. an estimate that is too high

Other Word Forms

• overestimation noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of overestimate¹

First recorded in 1815–25; over- + estimate

Example Sentences

The idea that we gave up something much better to make it reversible is just an overestimate.”

Read more on Wall Street Journal

A Wall Street analyst on Thursday cut his recommendation on Oracle to Sell, arguing that investors have been “overestimating the value of Oracle’s contracted cloud revenue.”

Read more on Barron's

In each case, when it was shown the dangers had been overestimated, he then led the effort to relax federal restrictions.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

They pointed to several examples of errors and “cherry-picked” information in the federal report, such as a section that argues that climate models have overestimated warming because the U.S.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

"This research shows parents overestimate the protection offered by privacy settings," Ms Govender said.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• amplify 
• distort 
• emphasize 
• fabricate 
• falsify 
• heighten 
• inflate 
• magnify 
• misrepresent 
• overdo 
• overdraw 
• overemphasize