Synonyms

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

Many massively overrate their chances of success, and they often can’t even imagine the many things that may go wrong with the next idea they are toying with.

From BBC • Jun. 1, 2024

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

From Salon • Apr. 25, 2023

“It is hard to overrate the importance of the information received through Blake,” Sergei Ivanov, an official for the Russian Foreign Intelligence Service, told Russian media in 2007.

From Washington Post • Dec. 26, 2020

Yes, I think so; but sometimes, you know, I'm apt to overrate my own ability.

From The Dorrance Domain by Wells, Carolyn

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