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

Don't overpromise just because the momentum feels good. —Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 10 June 2026

Its first attempt at an AI offering—Apple Intelligence, released in October 2024—was widely considered a misstep owing to several feature delays and what was seen as overpromising on capabilities that were not ready for launch. —Beatrice Nolan, Fortune, 8 June 2026

These products often overpromise and underdeliver, requiring frequent reapplication. —Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 June 2026

Pulsetto’s website is careful not to overpromise on immediate sleep consolidation. —Samantha Agate, Kansas City Star, 4 June 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