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

State your aim plainly, then pick the next step that shows integrity and keeps momentum steady without overpromising. — Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 24 Aug. 2026

The 1922 agreement overpromised what the river could provide. — Ian James, Los Angeles Times, 18 Aug. 2026

Policymakers on both sides are rightly skeptical of programs that overpromise. — Kody Kinsley, STAT, 17 Aug. 2026

Build Trust With Honest, Human Conversations People are skeptical online because they’ve been overpromised for years. — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 8 July 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