Hubris

Part of speech: noun

Pronunciation: /ˈhjuːbɹɪs/

Definitions

1. Excessive pride or self-confidence that often leads to one's downfall or disaster
2. Extreme arrogance and overconfidence in one's own abilities that typically results in failure or ruin
3. Overbearing pride and belief in one's superiority that commonly provokes retribution or downfall

Etymology: In ancient Greek, "hubris" did not mean simple arrogance. It referred to outrage committed against another person, such as shaming or humiliating someone for the pleasure of it, and it carried the sense of insolence that provoked a response. Greek audiences understood it as a serious offence, one that could draw divine punishment, and tragedies such as those of Sophocles and Aeschylus turned it into a central moral idea about overreaching human pride. The word was borrowed into English directly from Ancient Greek "húbris", which meant "pride, insolence, outrage". English speakers kept the sense of overweening self-confidence that invites a fall, so the modern meaning of excessive pride is a narrowing of the original idea of violent, insolent wrongdoing toward others.

Synonyms: arrogance, pride, conceit, vanity, self-importance

Antonyms: humility, modesty, meekness, humbleness, self-doubt