overconfidence
noun
over·con·fi·dence
ˌō-vər-ˈkän-fə-dən(t)s 
-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
David H. FreedmanExamples of overconfidence in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
History is full of examples—Blockbuster and Kodak in business and various military campaigns where overconfidence led to failure.
—Julian Hayes Ii, Forbes, 23 Feb. 2025
Cuarón underlines Catherine’s comical overconfidence by cutting from her self-satisfied voicemail to Stephen’s furious, frozen stare.
—Ben Travers, IndieWire, 18 Oct. 2024
Success can breed overconfidence, leading leaders to underestimate emerging threats.
—Julian Hayes Ii, Forbes, 23 Feb. 2025
Career coach Stacey Perkins from consulting firm Korn Ferry told Newsweek that overconfidence and poor preparation often lead to rejection.
—Kristan Hawkins, Newsweek, 6 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for overconfidence
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Julian Hayes Ii, Forbes, 23 Feb. 2025
Cuarón underlines Catherine’s comical overconfidence by cutting from her self-satisfied voicemail to Stephen’s furious, frozen stare.
—Ben Travers, IndieWire, 18 Oct. 2024
Success can breed overconfidence, leading leaders to underestimate emerging threats.
—Julian Hayes Ii, Forbes, 23 Feb. 2025
Career coach Stacey Perkins from consulting firm Korn Ferry told Newsweek that overconfidence and poor preparation often lead to rejection.
—Kristan Hawkins, Newsweek, 6 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for overconfidence
Cite this Entry
“Overconfidence.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/overconfidence. Accessed 13 Mar. 2025.
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