hubris

hu·bris

noun \ˈhyü-brəs\

Definition of HUBRIS

: exaggerated pride or self-confidence

— hu·bris·tic \hyü-ˈbris-tik\ adjective

Examples of HUBRIS

1. His failure was brought on by his hubris.
2. When conceived it was a project of almost unimaginable boldness and foolhardiness, requiring great bravura, risking great hubris. —Simon Winchester, The Professor and the Madman, 1998
3. If you were born Somewhere, hubris would come easy. But if you are Nowhere's child, hubris is an import, pride a thing you decide to acquire. —Sarah Vowell, GQ, May 1998
4. … our belief in democracy regardless of local conditions amounts to cultural hubris. —Robert D. Kaplan, Atlantic, December 1997

Origin of HUBRIS

Greek hybris

First Known Use: 1884