underestimating
Judging too low
Underestimating is judging something to be less than it actually is—smaller, weaker, less important, or less capable.
You can underestimate a cost, a distance, or an opponent's skill: We underestimated how long the project would take.
The error often carries consequences: Never underestimate a desperate man.
Willful lack of attention
- overlookingFailing to see or consider
- ignoringDeliberately not noticing
- dismissingRemoving from position
- downplayingDiminishing perceived significance
belittling · diminishing · discounting · scoffing · sneering · trivializing · minimizing · slighting
Error in estimation
- errorFault in communication
- oversightSupervision or inadvertent omission
- misjudgmentFaulty evaluation of something
- miscountingTallying incorrectly
undervaluing · misreading · inaccuracy · blunder · misapprehension · misconception · oversimplification · misreckoning
Ruinous excessive confidence
- arroganceExcessive self-importance
- complacencyUncritical satisfaction with oneself
- smugnessExcessive pride in oneself
- overconfidenceUnjustified certainty in oneself
presumption · cockiness · self-assurance · bravado · recklessness · carelessness · heedlessness · nonchalance
Lack of focus
- carelessnessInattention causing mistakes
- oversightSupervision or inadvertent omission
- laxityLack of strictness
- negligenceFailure to exercise care
slackness · heedlessness · disregard · inaction · passivity · unconcern · indifference · apathy
disregard
Willful lack of attention
- overlookingFailing to see or consider
- ignoringDeliberately not noticing
- dismissingRemoving from position
downplaying · belittling · diminishing · discounting · scoffing · sneering · trivializing · minimizing · slighting · deprecating
miscalculation
Error in estimation
- errorFault in communication
- oversightSupervision or inadvertent omission
- misjudgmentFaulty evaluation of something
miscounting · undervaluing · misreading · inaccuracy · blunder · misapprehension · misconception · oversimplification · misreckoning · shortchanging
hubris
Ruinous excessive confidence
- arroganceExcessive self-importance
- complacencyUncritical satisfaction with oneself
- smugnessExcessive pride in oneself
overconfidence · presumption · cockiness · self-assurance · bravado · recklessness · carelessness · heedlessness · nonchalance · rashness
inattention
Lack of focus
- carelessnessInattention causing mistakes
- oversightSupervision or inadvertent omission
- laxityLack of strictness
negligence · slackness · heedlessness · disregard · inaction · passivity · unconcern · indifference · apathy · unpreparedness
- downplayingminimizing, downplay, trivializing, belittling, soft-pedal
- Budget Errorsoverspending, cost overrun, shortfall, deficit, overrun
- Common Mistakesprocrastination, forgetting, oversight, miscalculation, rushing
- thinking errorsad hominem, straw man, slippery slope, confirmation bias, sunk cost fallacy
underestimatingoverestimating
Judging as greater than actual
overrating · overvaluing · overstating · exaggerating · inflating
underestimatingemphasizing
Giving special importance to
highlighting · overemphasizing · accentuating · playing up · stressing