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.

---

noun

1. an estimate that is too high.

overestimate British  

verb

1. (tr) to value or estimate too highly

---

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

Mountain rescuers have said young men are "overestimating" their experience after receiving multiple call-outs to Eryri National Park.

From BBC

The results showed that people dramatically overestimate how common toxic behavior is.

From Science Daily

He also said Wednesday that official statistics could be overestimating job creation by up to 60,000 jobs a month, meaning the U.S. could have lost 20,000 jobs a month since April.

From The Wall Street Journal

Fed Chair Jerome Powell said that central bank staffers believe that federal data could be overestimating job creation by up to 60,000 jobs a month.

From The Wall Street Journal

Powell said that Fed staffers believe that federal data could be overestimating job creation by up to 60,000 jobs a month.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

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