over·es·ti·mate
ˌō-vər-ˈe-stə-ˌmāt 
overestimated; overestimating
: to estimate or value (someone or something) too highly
… the senator had been so responsible about his potential tax liabilities that he had substantially overestimated what he owed the government.—
David Burnham
David Burnham… our habit of overestimating our knowledge and underestimating our ignorance …—David A. Shaywitz
David A. ShaywitzThe emotional power of this reunion can't be overestimated.—Joe Klein
Joe Klein"I mean that I am afraid I overestimated him. I don't think that he is a painter of the first rank."—Henry James
Henry James
over·es·ti·mate
ˌō-vər-ˈe-stə-mət
plural overestimates
: an estimate that is too high
overestimates of the company's future profits
Diamond still attacks the growth projections that the utilities have put forward, arguing that the … figures were overestimates …—Norman Boucher
Norman BoucherExamples of overestimate in a Sentence
Verb
the contractors overestimated their ability to do the work on such short notice
Recent Examples on the Web
Ruxandra Iordache, CNBC, 25 Apr. 2025
Studies consistently show that people—and especially high performers—tend to overestimate their own judgment, capabilities, and the predictability of outcomes.
—Paola Cecchi-Dimeglio, Forbes.com, 16 Apr. 2025
Joseph Ferrara, Sourcing Journal, 3 Sep. 2019
This year’s deficit resulted from a massive overestimate of revenues by Newsom’s administration in 2022, rather than an economic turndown, and some critics have complained that misusing reserves this year could leave them unable to cope with a recession.
—Dan Walters, The Mercury News, 10 Aug. 2024
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Verb
The Washington leader has repeatedly called out his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelenskyy for overestimating his leverage in both the conflict and the discussions, as well as — earlier this week — disregarding the possibility of renouncing Crimea.
—Ruxandra Iordache, CNBC, 25 Apr. 2025
Studies consistently show that people—and especially high performers—tend to overestimate their own judgment, capabilities, and the predictability of outcomes.
—Paola Cecchi-Dimeglio, Forbes.com, 16 Apr. 2025
Noun
Retailers’ concerns about modest price increases overestimate impacts on consumption while undervaluing nationwide job creation.
—Joseph Ferrara, Sourcing Journal, 3 Sep. 2019
This year’s deficit resulted from a massive overestimate of revenues by Newsom’s administration in 2022, rather than an economic turndown, and some critics have complained that misusing reserves this year could leave them unable to cope with a recession.
—Dan Walters, The Mercury News, 10 Aug. 2024
See All Example Sentences for overestimate
Cite this Entry
“Overestimate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/overestimate. Accessed 4 May. 2025.
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