overconfidence
noun
over·con·fi·dence
ˌō-vər-ˈkän-fə-dən(t)s 
-ˌden(t)s
: an excess of confidence (as in one's abilities or judgment) : confidence that is not justified
warned against overconfidence when investing
People tend to overestimate their skills behind the wheel and underestimate the skills of the boobs and psychopaths driving around them, a phenomenon that psychologists call "optimism bias" and the rest of us simply call delusional overconfidence.—
David H. Freedman
David H. FreedmanExamples of overconfidence in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Recognize that uncertainty also helps counteract overconfidence in AI decisions, especially in data sets prone to historical bias.
—Andre Shojaie, Forbes, 1 Nov. 2024
The party is ebullient after a summer that saw Trump's chances drop amid Harris' surge -- but, as with Harris, his fate is far from certain, and Republicans are warning against overconfidence while still enjoying the more level playing field.
—Tal Axelrod, ABC News, 25 Oct. 2024
In the event, stronger morale, superior generalship, and Russia’s overconfidence (and consequent expectation of a rapid victory) proved of outsize importance.
—Rajan Menon, Foreign Affairs, 12 Apr. 2023
The polls, on average, have barely wiggled, but in the final stretch, Democrats seem to be wired for anxiety much as Republicans lean toward overconfidence.
—David Lauter, Los Angeles Times, 19 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for overconfidence 
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Andre Shojaie, Forbes, 1 Nov. 2024
The party is ebullient after a summer that saw Trump's chances drop amid Harris' surge -- but, as with Harris, his fate is far from certain, and Republicans are warning against overconfidence while still enjoying the more level playing field.
—Tal Axelrod, ABC News, 25 Oct. 2024
In the event, stronger morale, superior generalship, and Russia’s overconfidence (and consequent expectation of a rapid victory) proved of outsize importance.
—Rajan Menon, Foreign Affairs, 12 Apr. 2023
The polls, on average, have barely wiggled, but in the final stretch, Democrats seem to be wired for anxiety much as Republicans lean toward overconfidence.
—David Lauter, Los Angeles Times, 19 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for overconfidence
Dictionary Entries Near overconfidence
Cite this Entry
“Overconfidence.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/overconfidence. Accessed 15 Nov. 2024.
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