overrate

American

[oh-ver-reyt] / ˌoʊ vərˈreɪt /

verb (used with object)

overrated, overrating

to rate or appraise too highly; overestimate.

I think you overrate their political influence.

Synonyms:

magnify, overpraise

overrate British

/ ˌəʊvəˈreɪt /

verb

(tr) to assess too highly

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of overrate

First recorded in 1580–90; over- + rate ¹

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

When a movement loses its ability to shape events, it begins to overrate the importance of symbols.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 8, 2026

"Be careful not to overrate the Russia-China relationship," says Mr Østhagen.

From BBC • May 23, 2025

Still, it's important not to overrate what Carlson's leaving means for Fox News.

From Salon • Apr. 25, 2023

Relationships among leaders can build trust — or destroy it — but presidents often overrate their ability to steer both allies and adversaries.

From New York Times • Aug. 28, 2021

Nor does it seem easy to overrate the value of the lessons in scientific seamanship derived from the French and English operations on the Black Sea, 1854-5.

From Social Transformations of the Victorian Age A Survey of Court and Country by Escott, T. H. S. (Thomas Hay Sweet)

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023