overestimate

American  

[oh-ver-es-tuh-meyt, oh-ver-es-tuh-mit] / ˌoʊ vərˈɛs təˌmeɪt, ˈoʊ vərˈɛs tə mɪt /

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.

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noun

1. an estimate that is too high.

overestimate British  

verb

1. (tr) to value or estimate too highly

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noun

1. an estimate that is too high

Other Word Forms

• overestimation noun

Etymology

Origin of overestimate

First recorded in 1815–25; over- + estimate

Example Sentences

It's tremendous knockabout stuff, but it rather overestimates the scale of the challenge Scotland have faced when playing against England in the Townsend era.

From BBC

Traditionally, host nations benefit from sports events, although impacts are often overestimated.

From Salon

Others say the study could have overestimated the performance of the test because not all women had a biopsy - a more detailed test - to double check the result.

From BBC

Unfortunately, investors overestimate their chances of picking those winners.

From The Wall Street Journal

At the time, he estimated that federal employment data could be overestimating the number of jobs created by as much as 60,000 positions each month.

From Barron's

Related Words

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