overconfidence

American  

[oh-ver-kon-fi-duhns] / ˈoʊ vərˈkɒn fɪ dəns /

noun

1. the quality of having an unrealistically high opinion of one’s own judgment, ability, powers, etc..

   Underestimating the enemy can induce laziness and encourage overconfidence.

   Psychologists have determined that overconfidence causes people to overestimate their ability to control events and underestimate risks.

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Etymology

Origin of overconfidence

over- ( def. ) + confidence ( def. )

Explanation

Overconfidence is what you've got when you're more sure of yourself than you should be. In a chess tournament, overconfidence might lead your opponent to underestimate you — which means you'll take her completely by surprise when you trounce her. Confidence is a good quality. It means you are secure and believe in yourself. Overconfidence, on the other hand, means you feel certain about your abilities or eventual success in situations that are not so clear-cut. Your overconfidence might mean you fail your driving test, for example, because you're so sure you're a great driver that you don't practice parallel parking.

Example Sentences

Warsh’s distaste for overconfidence in models and technocratic expertise has also held throughout his career.

From Barron's • Feb. 1, 2026

The report concluded: "There were deviations from policy and practice, overconfidence in the ability to recruit at scale and lack of resources in vetting increased risk."

From BBC • Jan. 7, 2026

New Year’s resolutions may be the most widespread behavioral experiment ever attempted—a great unsupervised trial in overconfidence.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 30, 2025

Now, from other people, you can take that as overconfidence.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 11, 2024

But that night she was like the little tottering, stumbling, clutching child, who of a sudden realizes its powers, and walks for the first time alone, boldly and with overconfidence.

From "The Awakening" by Kate Chopin

Related Words

• cockiness
• disrespect