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
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What’s become clear is that the Canadiens are overmatched, and the Hurricanes, as tends to be the case in a series like this one, need to guard against overconfidence.
—Sean Gentille, New York Times, 28 May 2026
Unlike traditional overconfidence, which stems from human bias, this version is technologically mediated.
—Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic, Forbes.com, 27 May 2026
Every generation faces a new wave of technological disruption and responds with the same blend of overconfidence, short-termism, and reluctance to let go of what’s working.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 23 Apr. 2026
How many times over two decades have the Canes been tripped up by teams with lesser talent, due to overconfidence and myriad other reasons?
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 21 Apr. 2026
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Sean Gentille, New York Times, 28 May 2026
Unlike traditional overconfidence, which stems from human bias, this version is technologically mediated.
—Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic, Forbes.com, 27 May 2026
Every generation faces a new wave of technological disruption and responds with the same blend of overconfidence, short-termism, and reluctance to let go of what’s working.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 23 Apr. 2026
How many times over two decades have the Canes been tripped up by teams with lesser talent, due to overconfidence and myriad other reasons?
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 21 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for overconfidence
Cite this Entry
“Overconfidence.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/overconfidence. Accessed 29 May. 2026.
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