überbewerteter

Überbewerteter is a German adjective meaning “overrated” or “overvalued.” It describes something that is judged to have more merit or value than it actually possesses. The form is used in attributive position with masculine singular nouns, for example: ein überbewerteter Film, der überbewertete Künstler. With a definite article the ending changes (der überbewertete Film), and with other genders and cases the endings vary according to standard German adjective declension.

Usage of the term is common in cultural criticism, media reviews, and consumer discourse. It signals that the speaker believes praise or popularity has outpaced the subject’s actual qualities. Because judgments of value are subjective, überbewerteter statements can reflect individual perspective as well as broader critical consensus. The word can carry a pejorative nuance, though it is not inherently hostile and may simply reflect a critique of hype, awards, or marketing.

Etymology and form: übersetzt as “over,” combined with bewerten meaning “to value” or “to assess.” The adjective derives from the past participle bewertet (valued) with the prefix über-, forming überbewertet, with inflected forms such as überbewerteter, überbewertete, or überbewertetes depending on gender, number, and case. It is a relatively modern term in German, widely used in journalism and online discussions to describe perceived overrating or overvaluation.

See also: Überschätzung, Überbewertung, übersetzt as Überschätzungen in criticism. While related terms exist, überbewerteter specifically denotes the assessed quality of being overrated.