hubris

excessive pride / overconfidence / arrogance

Noun

This term describes a specific type of pride that transcends mere confidence, manifesting as a defiant arrogance that ignores warnings or boundaries. It carries a heavy connotation of inevitable failure, suggesting that the individual's ego has blinded them to their own limitations or the reality of their situation. In literary and historical contexts, it specifically refers to the transgression of divine boundaries. While "pride" can be a neutral or positive trait, this word is exclusively negative, framing the overconfidence as a fatal flaw that triggers a catastrophic reversal of fortune.

Meanings

Noun

excessive pride or dangerous overconfidence, often leading to a downfall.

"His hubris led him to believe he was untouchable by the law."

Noun

extreme arrogance or presumption toward the gods or the divine, particularly in Greek tragedy.

"The protagonist's hubris in challenging the gods eventually brought about his ruin."

Last Updated: June 14, 2026•Report an Error