overqualified
adjective
over·qual·i·fied
ˌō-vər-ˈkwä-lə-ˌfīd 
: having more education, training, or experience than a job calls for
Examples of overqualified in a Sentence
They didn't hire her because she was overqualified for the job.
Recent Examples on the Web
If things go wrong, the overqualified graduate activist class could provide the revolutionaries of the future.
—
Simon Sebag Montefiore,
The Atlantic,
28 June 2026
Research indicates hiring managers fear overqualified candidates may be dissatisfied, demand more, or leave quickly.
—
Caroline Castrillon,
Forbes.com,
23 June 2026
Shohei Ohtani returned to the mound At this time in 2025, the Dodgers deployed the most overqualified opener of all time.
—
Stephen J. Nesbitt,
New York Times,
16 June 2026
Others shared similar impressions of a cutthroat job market, in which a glut of overqualified candidates are competing for junior and mid-level software engineering jobs.
—
Joel Khalili,
Wired News,
28 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for overqualified
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Simon Sebag Montefiore,
The Atlantic,
28 June 2026
Research indicates hiring managers fear overqualified candidates may be dissatisfied, demand more, or leave quickly.
—
Caroline Castrillon,
Forbes.com,
23 June 2026
Shohei Ohtani returned to the mound At this time in 2025, the Dodgers deployed the most overqualified opener of all time.
—
Stephen J. Nesbitt,
New York Times,
16 June 2026
Others shared similar impressions of a cutthroat job market, in which a glut of overqualified candidates are competing for junior and mid-level software engineering jobs.
—
Joel Khalili,
Wired News,
28 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for overqualified
Cite this Entry
“Overqualified.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/overqualified. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
