overrate
Americanverb (used with object)
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overrates,
present (3rd person singular)
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overrated,
past participle, past
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overrating
present participle
verb
Other Word Forms
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
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overratesimple
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overratessimple
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have overratedperfect
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has overratedperfect
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am overratingprogressive
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are overratingprogressive
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is overratingprogressive
-
have been overratingperfect progressive
-
has been overratingperfect progressive
Past
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overratedsimple
-
had overratedperfect
-
was overratingprogressive
-
were overratingprogressive
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had been overratingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of overrate
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.
See Examples For:
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
He did not overrate the stimulative effect of her presence; of the mere fact of propinquity.
From The Real Man by Francis Lynde
He also says his ideas are more relevant today than ever — especially as Americans develop an anti-science culture that, among other things, drastically overrates the significance of IQ tests.
From Salon ● Dec. 28, 2024
Georgetown, which has played the nation's toughest schedule according to the RPI, is ranked 12th despite a 21-10 record, which probably overrates them by 10-20 spots.
From Slate ● Mar. 11, 2011
Sometimes it seems that Steiner overrates the importance of language; but to him the word is the very essence of humanity.
From Time Magazine Archive
Like most penmen he overrates the power of the sword.
From Reviews by Oscar Wilde
I have no doubt that in saying this he means to pay me a compliment, but he really overrates my capacity, as well as my inclination for work.
From Miscellanies by Robert Ross
Yet the steady post-Oscar blowback and general friction surrounding Fennell made me certain I’d overrated it.
From Salon ● Oct. 2, 2026
But if she is a delightful, gritty inspiration to some, Moses has always been an overrated “primitive” kept aloft by a winning backstory to others, including many art-world gatekeepers.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 11, 2026
We came to Park City to argue, to coalesce around favorites, to hate on the overrated.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jan. 31, 2026
Liza Prideaux agrees understated decorations are overrated and has embraced "nostalgic, vintage" decor at Christmas for the last two years.
From BBC ● Dec. 20, 2025
“It’s an overrated game that people, especially New Yorkers, think is the friggin’ holy grail of games.
From "The Boy in the Black Suit" by Jason Reynolds
Lastly, Lee said that the Federal Reserve’s next meeting not being until September will also help support stocks, noting that markets are currently overrating the chances of an interest-rate hike happening next month.
From MarketWatch ● Aug. 4, 2026
Be wary of overrating Ballage’s 123-yard rushing performance from Week 15.
From Washington Times ● Dec. 21, 2018
I think the ensuing disasters were two-pronged failures — overrating the talent on hand, and not making the right moves to improve the team.
From Seattle Times ● Aug. 26, 2012
To be fair to the pundits, a lot of the overrating has come from Christie himself.
From Slate ● Sep. 27, 2011
Ride out with me, King Ranald, for we must count these Danes, and see that we are not overrating their number.
From King Alfred's Viking A Story of the First English Fleet by Charles W. (Charles Watts) Whistler
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
