overconfidence

[ oh-ver-kon-fi-duhns ]
See synonyms for overconfidence on Thesaurus.com
noun
  1. the quality of having an unrealistically high opinion of one’s own judgment, ability, powers, etc.:Underestimating the enemy can induce laziness and encourage overconfidence.Psychologists have determined that overconfidence causes people to overestimate their ability to control events and underestimate risks.

Origin of overconfidence

1

Words Nearby overconfidence

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use overconfidence in a sentence

  • These developments certainly point to a rising sense of confidence, perhaps even overconfidence, among the Chinese.

    The Next Art Bubble | Vikram Mansharamani | April 13, 2011 | THE DAILY BEAST
  • Cain was the kind who would try such a crazy stunt, alone, with such supreme overconfidence in his own muscle power.

  • The fatal overconfidence in the backwoods county was settled upon as the cause of the disaster.

    Sons and Fathers | Harry Stillwell Edwards
  • I am not ashamed to confess that I cried over the loss of this poor little victim of overconfidence in human beings.

  • But that gentleman spoiled it all by his own overconfidence.

    Duffels | Edward Eggleston
  • Neglect of this or overconfidence has caused many disasters.

    Nautical Charts | G. R. Putnam