Overestimated: meaning, definitions and examples

This term is used when someone has given something or someone more value, ability, or importance than it actually has. It can apply to predictions, assessments or expectations.

• The company's profits were overestimated, leading to a drop in their stock price when the actual results came out

Similar to overrate but often used in financial contexts, this term means assigning too high a value to something, such as a stock, property, or asset.

• The real estate market in that area is overvalued, so be careful not to overpay for a house there

This word is often used when talking about someone making something seem more significant or severe than it really is, whether in storytelling, marketing, or daily conversations.

• She tends to exaggerate her travel stories, making them sound more adventurous than they were

Inflate is typically used in financial contexts or with numbers, indicating that someone has artificially increased the value or quantity of something.

• The accountant was caught trying to inflate the sales figures to make the company appear more profitable

This word is used to describe giving too much credit or evaluation to something or someone, often in the context of opinions about quality or performance.

• The movie was good, but I felt it was overrated; it didn't live up to the hype