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

Examples of overconfidence in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Errington has an endearing likability and a sense of mischief, but more aggressiveness and overconfidence would better suit the character. —Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 Feb. 2026

This Full Moon is about faith, but the shadow is overconfidence or assuming everything will work out without effort. —Dossé-Via Trenou, Refinery29, 29 Jan. 2026

Concerns about his height (6-foot-1-inch), regression in 2025 and arm overconfidence are valid. —Miami Herald, 28 Jan. 2026

Behaviorally, critics say, people approach prediction markets as a gambler would—and because prediction market platforms are promoted as an investment tool, there is arguably the danger of even riskier user activity due to overconfidence in trading. —Dan Bernstein, Sportico.com, 27 Jan. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1622, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for overconfidence

• confidence