überoptimistische

Überoptimistische is a German adjective meaning excessively optimistic. It describes attitudes, forecasts, or plans that presume the best outcome and give insufficient weight to risks or uncertainties. The term is often used in journalism, business, and psychology to criticize overly optimistic expectations.

Morphology and usage: When used attributively, the form changes with the noun: eine überoptimistische Einschätzung, eine überoptimistische Prognose, eine überoptimistische Haltung. In predicative use it appears as Er ist überoptimistisch (he is overly optimistic) or Die Einschätzung war überoptimistisch (the assessment was overly optimistic). The form überoptimistische is the feminine singular attributive form before a feminine noun. The adjective can also appear in its noun form Überoptimismus to refer to the bias itself.

Etymology: It is formed from the prefix über- meaning over or too much and the adjective optimistisch, which comes from Optimismus, itself from Latin/Greek roots for “best” or “optimal.” The compound mirrors similar German constructions describing excessive qualities.

Context and implications: Überoptimismus implies a misjudgment of likelihoods and can lead to risk underestimation, budget shortfalls, or missed deadlines. It is often contrasted with realism or prudent skepticism and is discussed in contexts such as project planning, finance, and strategic decision-making.

See also: Optimismus, Überoptimismus, Optimismus-Bias, kognitive Verzerrung, rosige Zukunft. Examples: Die überoptimistische Planung unterschätzte Kosten; Seine überoptimistische Einschätzung gefiel den Investoren.