overrate

verb

over·​rate ˈō-vər-ˌrāt 

overrated; overrating; overrates

transitive verb

: to rate or value (someone or something) too highly

By grossly overrating the danger from Communist agents inside the United States, the scaremongering of the House Un-American Activities Committee boosted the impression that Communist monsters in general were a mythical breed.

—Norman Davies

… they have an undersized shooting guard … who so vastly overrates his abilities that he declined management's five-year, $50 million extension offer.

—Jack McCallum

see also overrated

Synonyms

• overestimate
• overvalue

Examples of overrate in a Sentence

The coach tends to overrate the players on his own team.

I think the critics seriously overrated that movie.

Recent Examples on the Web

Following World War II, experts often overrated Soviet forces, with major consequences for U.S. national security policy and, particularly, defense spending. —Zoltan Barany, Foreign Affairs, 8 Sep. 2023

All of Canada is mad at Greg for calling Edmonton Oilers superstar Connor McDavid overrated in a Miami Herald column in advance of the Stanley Cup Final vs. the Florida Panthers starting with Game 1 Saturday in Sunrise. —Greg Cote, Miami Herald, 5 June 2024

Based on this week’s results, that may put Hogan exactly where Trone found himself — overrated. —Baltimore Sun Editorial Board, Baltimore Sun, 15 May 2024

Closure is overrated when the result is your worst nightmare. —The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 7 May 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1599, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

overrate

verb

over·​rate ˌō-və(r)-ˈrāt 

: to rate, value, or estimate too highly

a book that was overrated