hubris
Hubris refers to excessive pride or dangerous overconfidence, specifically the kind that leads someone to ignore warnings or challenge the natural order. Imagine a person who believes they are so talented or important that they are above the rules or consequences that apply to everyone else. It is a formal, often literary term frequently used in contexts involving tragedy, politics, or technological ambition. While "arrogance" implies a general personality trait, "hubris" carries a heavier weight, suggesting that the person's pride will inevitably lead to their downfall or a disastrous mistake.
In conversation
Discussing a failed startup
They thought they could disrupt the entire banking industry in six months.
They thought they could disrupt the entire banking industry in six months.
It was pure hubris; they didn't even have a finished prototype.
It was pure hubris; they didn't even have a finished prototype.
Used to describe overambitious planning.
Analyzing a classic play
Why does the protagonist ignore the oracle's warning?
Why does the protagonist ignore the oracle's warning?
It's his hubris—he truly believes he can outsmart destiny.
It's his hubris—he truly believes he can outsmart destiny.
Commonly used in literature and history classes.
Examples
The captain's hubris prevented him from listening to the warnings about the iceberg.
The captain's hubris prevented him from listening to the warnings about the iceberg.
Their hubris led them to believe that the system was immune to failure.
Their hubris led them to believe that the system was immune to failure.
In the final act, the tragic hero is undone by the very hubris that once fueled his rise to power.
In the final act, the tragic hero is undone by the very hubris that once fueled his rise to power.
