over·es·ti·mate
ˌō-vər-ˈe-stə-ˌmāt 
overestimated; overestimating
: to estimate or value (someone or something) too highly
… the senator had been so responsible about his potential tax liabilities that he had substantially overestimated what he owed the government.—
David Burnham
David Burnham… our habit of overestimating our knowledge and underestimating our ignorance …—David A. Shaywitz
David A. ShaywitzThe emotional power of this reunion can't be overestimated.—Joe Klein
Joe Klein"I mean that I am afraid I overestimated him. I don't think that he is a painter of the first rank."—Henry James
Henry James
over·es·ti·mate
ˌō-vər-ˈe-stə-mət
plural overestimates
: an estimate that is too high
overestimates of the company's future profits
Diamond still attacks the growth projections that the utilities have put forward, arguing that the … figures were overestimates …—Norman Boucher
Norman BoucherExamples of overestimate in a Sentence
Verb
the contractors overestimated their ability to do the work on such short notice
Recent Examples on the Web
Bymary Elizabeth Bradford, Forbes.com, 28 May 2025
But financial experts told USA TODAY people generally overestimate their earnings and underestimate their spending.
—Rachel Barber, USA Today, 23 Apr. 2025
Mark Kortepeter, Forbes.com, 20 May 2025
Retailers’ concerns about modest price increases overestimate impacts on consumption while undervaluing nationwide job creation.
—Joseph Ferrara, Sourcing Journal, 3 Sep. 2019
See All Example Sentences for overestimate
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Verb
Communication: The Make-Or-Break Skill Sometimes executive leaders can overestimate their communication abilities.
—Bymary Elizabeth Bradford, Forbes.com, 28 May 2025
But financial experts told USA TODAY people generally overestimate their earnings and underestimate their spending.
—Rachel Barber, USA Today, 23 Apr. 2025
Noun
Asymptomatic cases may spread the virus unknowingly and since they may not be identified, the death rate may be an overestimate.
—Mark Kortepeter, Forbes.com, 20 May 2025
Retailers’ concerns about modest price increases overestimate impacts on consumption while undervaluing nationwide job creation.
—Joseph Ferrara, Sourcing Journal, 3 Sep. 2019
See All Example Sentences for overestimate
Cite this Entry
“Overestimate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/overestimate. Accessed 3 Jun. 2025.
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