overevaluate

verb

over·​eval·​u·​ate ˌō-vər-i-ˈval-yə-ˌwāt How to pronounce overevaluate (audio)
-yü-ˌāt
overevaluated; overevaluating

transitive verb

: to evaluate (someone or something) too much or too highly: such as
a
: to evaluate (something) as being greater than the actual size, quantity, or number
overevaluating the increase in the value of the association by failing to subtract its liabilities from its assets.Ronald L. Brown
b
: to judge (someone or something) as being greater in ability, importance, or value than that person or thing actually is
overevaluated himself
… poor performers are likely to overevaluate their performance …Manuel London
Studies consistently show a tendency for humans to overweight and overevaluate negative information when compared to positive.Donald G. Ellis
c
: to evaluate (someone or something) to an excessive degree
Your natural tendency may be to overevaluate each statement …Lee Wherry Brainerd and C. Roebuck Reed
Stop overevaluating your body. Stop overevaluating other people's bodies. By judging obsessively, we create turmoil in our own body and mind.Nadia R. Adams
overevaluation noun
plural overevaluations
overevaluation of the company's potential profits
the effect of overevaluation of weight on self-esteem

Word History

First Known Use

1909, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of overevaluate was in 1909

Dictionary Entries Near overevaluate

Cite this Entry

“Overevaluate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/overevaluate. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!