WordGarden.iohubris
C2Pronunciation
UK
- /hˈuːbrɪs/
US
- /ˈhjubrəs/
Meanings
Noun
excessive pride or self-confidence, especially when it leads to downfall
Beyond the definition
Hubris isn't just being proud; it's too much pride, the kind that leads to a fall. Think of Icarus in Greek myth, who flew too close to the sun despite his father's warnings, swept up in the thrill of his own flight. That reckless overconfidence, that belief that you are untouchable, is hubris. It often appears as a fatal flaw in tragic heroes: they start believing their own hype, and that belief helps bring about their ruin. You might say a politician shows hubris when they act as if they are above the law or beyond criticism.
Hubris is a word of Greek origin. In modern English, it usually means excessive pride or dangerous overconfidence, especially when someone in power starts to believe they cannot fail. But the older Greek idea was broader than simple vanity: it could also mean outrageous arrogance, scorn toward others, or behavior that humiliated and dishonored people. In both the ancient and modern sense, the core idea is the same: someone pushes past reasonable limits because they think the normal rules do not apply to them.
Historically, hubris was treated as a serious wrong in ancient Greek thought, and it was often linked with punishment or reversal. Greek stories repeatedly return to this pattern: a person becomes too proud, too harsh, or too sure of their own power, and then they are brought low. This idea runs through many tragedies and myths, where a character ignores warnings, dismisses limits, or challenges forces greater than themselves.
Today, we use "hubris" to describe a similar kind of excessive confidence, often in people with power or influence. A CEO who believes the company is untouchable despite clear warning signs is showing hubris. A general who underestimates an enemy because of inflated self-belief may be acting out of hubris. It is not simply confidence; it is the belief that you cannot fail, along with the habit of dismissing evidence that says otherwise.
Hubris often shows up as a lack of humility, a lack of empathy, and an unwillingness to learn from mistakes. It can blind people to their limits and set them on a path to downfall, whether in ancient myth or in modern life.
Examples
- 1
Teamwork
After a few early wins, his hubris made him stop listening to the rest of the team.
- 2
Corporate confidence
Critics accused the company of hubris after it claimed no competitor could threaten its position.
- Patternaccuse someone of hubris
say they are showing dangerous overconfidence
- 3
Workplace authority
She was stunned by the hubris of a new manager telling veteran staff how to do their jobs.
- Patternthe hubris of doing something
the shocking confidence behind that action
- 4
Political apology
Many voters saw his refusal to apologize as pure hubris.
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Literary downfall
In the novel, the hero's hubris leads to his downfall.
- Phraselead to someone's downfall
cause them to lose power or fail badly
See also
Similar
Shades of meaning
- pride
- presumption
- self-importance
Contrast
Used with (collocations)
- act of hubris
- political hubris
- corporate hubris
- hubris and downfall
Word family
- hubristic
Explore
- tragic flaw
- nemesis
Forms and spellings
1 form open this card.
Main spelling
- hubrisnoun