overpromising
Guaranteeing too much
Overpromising is committing to more than you can deliver.
The word implies a gap between what's pledged and what's possible: The company has a history of overpromising and underdelivering.
Politicians overpromise during campaigns; salespeople overpromise to close deals.
The noun overpromise names the commitment itself.
Providing less than promised
- letdownFailure to satisfy expectations
- disappointmentSadness from unmet expectations
- unmet expectationsHopes that weren't fulfilled
- falling shortNot meeting expectations
unrealized · unkept · undelivered · shortfall · gap · discrepancy · unachieved · incomplete
Causing false beliefs
- exaggerationOverstating beyond reality
- hypeExaggerated promotional fanfare
- inflatedExpanded with gas
- misrepresentationFalse or misleading statement
distortion · false advertising · bait-and-switch · overselling · puffery · spin · embellishment · overstatement
Promising beyond one's capacity
- overextensionExceeding sustainable capacity
- burnoutChronic occupational depletion
- deadlineTime limit for completion
- workloadAssigned task volume
stress · strain · unsustainable · juggling · overwhelm · crunch · scope creep · impossible standards
Frequency of sound
- marketingPromoting goods to consumers
- guaranteeFormal promise of fulfillment
- warrantyFormal repair promise
- claimsStatements of truth
testimonials · projections · forecasts · targets · quotas · closing · deal · contract
Quality inspiring trust
- reliabilityConsistent, predictable performance
- reputationCollective opinion of someone
- accountabilityObligation for one's actions
- trustworthinessQuality of being reliable
integrity · follow-through · track record · skepticism · doubt · disillusionment · cynicism · fool me once
underdelivering
Providing less than promised
- letdownFailure to satisfy expectations
- disappointmentSadness from unmet expectations
- unmet expectationsHopes that weren't fulfilled
falling short · unrealized · unkept · undelivered · shortfall · gap · discrepancy · unachieved · incomplete · defaulted
misleading
Causing false beliefs
- exaggerationOverstating beyond reality
- hypeExaggerated promotional fanfare
- inflatedExpanded with gas
misrepresentation · distortion · false advertising · bait-and-switch · overselling · puffery · spin · embellishment · overstatement · hyperbole
overcommitment
Promising beyond one's capacity
- overextensionExceeding sustainable capacity
- burnoutChronic occupational depletion
- deadlineTime limit for completion
workload · stress · strain · unsustainable · juggling · overwhelm · crunch · scope creep · impossible standards
pitch
Frequency of sound
- marketingPromoting goods to consumers
- guaranteeFormal promise of fulfillment
- warrantyFormal repair promise
claims · testimonials · projections · forecasts · targets · quotas · closing · deal · contract · deliverables
credibility
Quality inspiring trust
- reliabilityConsistent, predictable performance
- reputationCollective opinion of someone
- accountabilityObligation for one's actions
trustworthiness · integrity · follow-through · track record · skepticism · doubt · disillusionment · cynicism · fool me once · crying wolf
- overdoingoverdoing, overindulging, overkill, excess, overreacting
- empty promiseslip service, broken vows, false hope, hot air
- marketing blundersfalse advertising, misleading claims, false claims, cultural insensitivity, greenwashing
- bad decisionsprocrastination, impulse buying, overspending, binge eating, cramming
- miscommunicationmix-up, mixed signals, confusion, mixed messages, crossed wires
- people-pleasing behaviorsflattery, accommodating, self-sacrifice, conflict avoidance, peacekeeping
overpromisingunderpromising
Stating modest commitments intentionally
undercommitting · lowballing · sandbagging · hedging · understating
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