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

That’s a reference to the Dunning-Kruger effect — you know, the tendency of those willfully or unalterably ignorant to vastly overestimate their abilities and/or intelligence.

Read more on Salon

The Dunning-Kruger effect is the tendency for people to overestimate their level of knowledge in a subject they know little about.

Read more on Salon

Even real productivity enhancements have a price, and it could be that the hyperscalers and AI companies have overestimated the potential revenue that companies will be willing to spend on the technology.

Read more on MarketWatch

Newcastle had underestimated Unai's commitment to Villarreal and overestimated their own importance as a club.

Read more on BBC

Moscow both overestimated the Wagner Group’s strength as a power in Africa, now in shambles, and underestimated its potential to threaten the Russian government, as it did with an aborted coup.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

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