overpromise

verb

over·​prom·​ise ˌō-vər-ˈprä-məs 

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

That agreement overpromised what the river could provide. —Ian James, Los Angeles Times, 5 Feb. 2026

Musk has a history of overpromising technological advance timelines. —Chris Isidore, CNN Money, 4 Feb. 2026

Mentioning his love of thighs could overpromise on his libido. —Dan Greene, New Yorker, 26 Jan. 2026

In a market where some CEOs overpromise and underdeliver, the company’s ability to hit its projections is noteworthy. —The Motley Fool, Dallas Morning News, 18 Jan. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1677, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for overpromise

• actualize
• antagonize
• apologise
• apologize
• capitalize
• categorize
• characterize
• commercialize
• conceptualize
• contrariwise
• criminalize
• decentralize