overconfidence

noun

over·​con·​fi·​dence ˌō-vər-ˈkän-fə-dən(t)s How to pronounce overconfidence (audio)
-ˌden(t)s
: an excess of confidence (as in one's abilities or judgment) : confidence that is not justified
warned against overconfidence when investing
People tend to overestimate their skills behind the wheel and underestimate the skills of the boobs and psychopaths driving around them, a phenomenon that psychologists call "optimism bias" and the rest of us simply call delusional overconfidence.David H. Freedman

Examples of overconfidence in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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This is a moment of genuine courage and growth, but it can be dismissed as snitching by viewers who can’t see past her overconfidence from several hours ago. Kathleen Walsh, Glamour, 10 Apr. 2025 Hubris Boards that have consistently performed well or achieved strong returns can sometimes fall into a pattern of overconfidence. Committee Of 200, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025 In today’s business environment, change and disruption are constant, and overconfidence can be the downfall of a senior leader. Tracy Lawrence, Forbes.com, 30 Mar. 2025 And so his default or resting position is like awesomeness, overconfidence. Kevin Sabet, Newsweek, 24 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for overconfidence

Word History

First Known Use

1622, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of overconfidence was in 1622

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Cite this Entry

“Overconfidence.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/overconfidence. Accessed 23 Apr. 2025.

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