Hubris | Definition of Hubris by Merriam-Webster
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: exaggerated pride or self-confidence
Other Words from hubris
hubristic \ hyü-ˈbri-stik \ adjective Hubris Comes From Ancient Greece
English picked up both the concept of hubris and the term for that particular brand of cockiness from the ancient Greeks, who considered hubris a dangerous character flaw capable of provoking the wrath of the gods. In classical Greek tragedy, hubris was often a fatal shortcoming that brought about the fall of the tragic hero. Typically, overconfidence led the hero to attempt to overstep the boundaries of human limitations and assume a godlike status, and the gods inevitably humbled the offender with a sharp reminder of his or her mortality.
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To the Greeks, hubris referred to extreme pride, especially pride and ambition so great that they offend the gods and lead to one's downfall. Hubris was a character flaw often seen in the heroes of classical Greek tragedy, including Oedipus and Achilles. The familiar old saying "Pride goeth before a fall" is basically talking about hubris.
Examples of hubris in a Sentence
When conceived it was a project of almost unimaginable boldness and foolhardiness, requiring great bravura, risking great hubris . — Simon Winchester , The Professor and the Madman , 1998 If you were born Somewhere, hubris would come easy. But if you are Nowhere's child, hubris is an import, pride a thing you decide to acquire. — Sarah Vowell , GQ , May 1998 … our belief in democracy regardless of local conditions amounts to cultural hubris . — Robert D. Kaplan , Atlantic , December 1997 His failure was brought on by his hubris.
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Recent Examples on the Web The sheer hubris of both decisions can lead a person into strange places.
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Michael Rand, Star Tribune, "Justin Turner's COVID celebration was an abundance of recklessness," 28 Oct. 2020 That is not to say that Biden doesn’t have all the stubbornness or hubris that’s embedded in the genetic code alongside political ambition.
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Washington Post, "Joe Biden’s campaign, summed up in one simple gesture," 6 Oct. 2020 The hall was erected with the intent to venerate and deify, and the selections into it reflected the hubris of its creators.
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Sheldon Pearce, The New Yorker, "The Futility of Rolling Stone’s Best-Albums List," 2 Oct. 2020 The hubris of this discourse and its presumptions about the state of the race make for some bleak comedy in hindsight.
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Osita Nwanevu, The New Republic, "The Ridiculous Wargaming of the 2020 Election," 14 Sep. 2020 Thanks to my hubris, what was supposed to be a half hour of heating time dragged on.
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Soleil Ho, SFChronicle.com, "What I learned from eating frozen food exclusively for two weeks," 21 Sep. 2020 The hubris of such a line of thought beggars belief.
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Luther Ray Abel, National Review, "How Biblical Illiteracy Is Ruining the Humanities," 17 Sep. 2020 Warning: the video contains a very alarmed man using NSFW language as the fruits of his hubris annihilate a nearby home.
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Dan Carson, Houston Chronicle, "'OH GOD D----T!': Would-be lumberjack chops tree down directly onto house," 15 Sep. 2020 The reason has nothing to do with superstition or hubris.
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Walter Shapiro, The New Republic, "Joe Biden’s Great Reclamation Project," 17 Aug. 2020
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'hubris.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
See More First Known Use of hubris
1884, in the meaning defined above
History and Etymology for hubris
Greek hybris
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Cite this Entry
“Hubris.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hubris. Accessed 2 Nov. 2020.
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