Overvalue: meaning, definitions and examples

This word is used when someone gives too much worth or importance to something, often in a financial or evaluative sense. It can also imply emotional or subjective bias.

• Investors tend to overvalue tech startups.
• She overvalued his advice, thinking it was always correct.

Overestimate is used when someone thinks that some quantity, ability, or value is higher or better than it truly is. It usually implies a specific judgment or calculation error.

• I overestimated how much time the project would take.
• He overestimated his ability to climb the mountain.

This word is often used in financial or economic contexts to describe the action of increasing prices or quantities unnaturally. It can also describe making something appear more significant than it is.

• The company was accused of inflating its sales figures.
• They inflated the balloon using a pump.

Exaggerate is used when someone makes something seem larger, better, or more important than it really is. Often relates to storytelling or describing events and can imply dishonesty or dramatic effect.

• He tends to exaggerate his achievements to impress others.
• She exaggerated the impact of the new policy.

Listed twice, same as the first entry regarding assessing worth or importance.

Commonly used in everyday conversation to indicate that something is given too much credit or regarded more highly than it deserves. Often has a negative connotation.

• The movie was overrated; it didn't live up to the hype.
• Many people overrate their ability to multitask effectively.

Rarely used, it refers to placing too high a value or importance on something, might often involve subjective or personal valuation.

• He tends to overprize his rare book collection, thinking it's worth more than it truly is.
• Collectors often overprize items with sentimental value.

Appropriate when discussing situations where excessive importance or stress is placed on a particular point or aspect.

• Teachers sometimes overemphasize the importance of standardized test scores.
• Don't overemphasize minor details; focus on the bigger picture.