overpromise

verb

over·​prom·​ise ˌō-vər-ˈprä-məs How to pronounce overpromise (audio)
overpromised; overpromising

transitive + intransitive

: to promise more than is possible or realistic
Political candidates always overpromise or else the electorate won't bother to show up at their rallies.Michael Gomez
… received sharp criticism for overpromising and underperforming.Industry Week
Then a change in the Facebook algorithm punished click bait, which can tend to overpromise on what it links to. Steep traffic drops followed.Jim Rutenberg
To close a deal, bad vendors tend to overpromise features that they claim will be added down the line but never materialize.Michael Kan

Examples of overpromise in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Be cautious not to overpromise or take on too much. Valerie Mesa, People.com, 18 June 2025 Red light therapy is not new, but many red-light products on the market either overpromise results or lack proper guidance. Nia Bowers, USA Today, 20 May 2025 The choice for companies is clear: Design AI to empower clinicians, nurses and physicians in their workflows, or risk creating solutions that overpromise and underdeliver. Amber Nigam, Forbes, 7 Mar. 2025 On top of all that, Musk — who has a history of overpromising and missing deadlines by years — plans to launch Tesla’s driverless ride-hailing service next month in Austin. Allison Morrow, CNN Money, 28 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for overpromise

Word History

First Known Use

1677, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of overpromise was in 1677

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Cite this Entry

“Overpromise.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/overpromise. Accessed 30 Jun. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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