overestimate

[ verb oh-ver-es-tuh-meyt; noun oh-ver-es-tuh-mit ]

verb (used with object)

, o·ver·es·ti·mat·ed, o·ver·es·ti·mat·ing.

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

Derived Forms

• ˌoverˌestiˈmation, noun

Other Words From

• over·esti·mation noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of overestimate¹

First recorded in 1815–25; over- + estimate

Example Sentences

As digital marketing executive Scott Fenstermaker, who runs a blog on the topic, put it, “We tend to overestimate our own free will and resistance to influence.”

From Slate

The groups said that “creates an overestimate of the water available for export” and will result in uncertainty and potentially more litigation.

From Los Angeles Times

The overall fatality rate across H5N1 outbreaks is estimated to be above 50%, but that may be an overestimate due to many milder infections being missed.

From Salon

We overestimate how likely it is that if we trust someone they will betray us and we underestimate the likelihood that things will go well.

From Los Angeles Times

She probably thought I was doing great and that she was, too, since research shows that therapists overestimate their skills and their patient’s progress.

From Slate

Related Words

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