hybris: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1/C2 (low-frequency academic/literary word)Formal, literary, academic; occasionally journalistic.
Quick answer
What does “hybris” mean?
Excessive pride or self-confidence, often leading to downfall or failure.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
Excessive pride or self-confidence, often leading to downfall or failure.
A character trait in classical Greek tragedy where a person's overestimation of their own capabilities or status challenges the gods or the natural order, resulting in inevitable retribution (nemesis). In modern usage, it describes dangerous overconfidence in any context, especially in leadership, business, or politics.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. Spelling is identical. Slightly more common in UK journalistic writing about politics.
Connotations
Identical in both variants: strongly negative, implying arrogance and impending doom.
Frequency
Equally low-frequency in both dialects, confined to educated contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “hybris” in a Sentence
[Subject]'s hubristhe hubris of [person/group]hubris led to [negative consequence]accuse [someone] of hubrisVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “hybris” in a Sentence
adverb
British English
- hubristically
American English
- hubristically
adjective
British English
- hubristic
American English
- hubristic
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used to describe reckless over-expansion or ignoring market warnings (e.g., 'The CEO's hubris in acquiring three rivals bankrupted the firm.').
Academic
Common in literary criticism, history, political science, and business case studies analysing failure.
Everyday
Rare. Might be used in educated discussion of a public figure's mistake.
Technical
A formal term in classical studies and dramatic theory.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “hybris”
Strong
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “hybris”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “hybris”
- Misspelling as 'hybris' (the original Greek/Latin spelling) in English contexts. Confusing it with 'humorous'. Using it for simple confidence rather than destructive overconfidence.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Pride can be positive or negative. Hubris is exclusively negative, describing excessive, foolish pride that invites disaster.
It is pronounced HYOO-bris (/'hjuːbrɪs/), with the stress on the first syllable. The 'h' is pronounced.
No, 'hubris' is exclusively a noun. The related adjective is 'hubristic'.
The opposite consequence is 'nemesis' (retribution or downfall). Hubris is the cause; nemesis is the inevitable effect.
Excessive pride or self-confidence, often leading to downfall or failure.
Hybris is usually formal, literary, academic; occasionally journalistic. in register.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Pride comes before a fall (conceptual equivalent, not containing the word 'hubris')”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'HUge BRISkness' – someone acting with huge, brisk overconfidence is displaying HUBRIS.
Conceptual Metaphor
PRIDE IS HEIGHT / BLINDNESS (hubris is the extreme peak of pride that makes one blind to danger, leading to a fall).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the word 'hubris' MOST appropriately used?