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
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Democrats are meeting with him; Pennsylvanian Democratic Sen. John Fetterman seems irritated at those in his party who make no effort to cooperate with the president-elect; and there seems to be a growing country-wide détente toward Trump, creating in him further overconfidence.
—Richard E. Vatz, Baltimore Sun, 26 Jan. 2025
The gap between confidence and overconfidence is invisible.
—Mark Kane, Forbes, 22 Jan. 2025
On race day, mulish overconfidence fueled me through all 13 icy miles.
—Amy X. Wang, New York Times, 14 Jan. 2025
While 75% of companies report having a dedicated AI strategy, over 90% of business leaders rank themselves in the top tier for AI knowledge—a possible red flag indicating overconfidence in an area where precise expertise is crucial.
—Quora, Forbes, 28 Nov. 2024
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Richard E. Vatz, Baltimore Sun, 26 Jan. 2025
The gap between confidence and overconfidence is invisible.
—Mark Kane, Forbes, 22 Jan. 2025
On race day, mulish overconfidence fueled me through all 13 icy miles.
—Amy X. Wang, New York Times, 14 Jan. 2025
While 75% of companies report having a dedicated AI strategy, over 90% of business leaders rank themselves in the top tier for AI knowledge—a possible red flag indicating overconfidence in an area where precise expertise is crucial.
—Quora, Forbes, 28 Nov. 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 2 Feb. 2025.
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