Hubris Meaning, Sentence Examples and Hubris vs Arrogance

Hubris (noun). excessive pride or self-confidence, especially when it leads someone to overlook limits or warnings.

Example: In the story, the captain’s hubris made her dismiss every warning.

Pronunciation guide: HYOO-briss. Capital letters show the stressed syllable.

Explore the usage · Try the three-question quiz · Keep learning

What does hubris mean?

Hubris is a critical word for pride or confidence that has become excessive. A person displaying hubris may assume they cannot be wrong, reject advice or act as though normal limits do not apply to them.

It differs from ordinary confidence. A confident learner can trust their preparation and still welcome feedback. Describing someone’s attitude as hubris suggests that their confidence has gone beyond what the situation justifies.

Hubris in sentences

These fictional examples show the attitude through actions:

• The team’s hubris was clear in its refusal to rehearse.
• He later recognised the hubris of assuming he could solve the problem alone.
• The novel explores how the ruler’s hubris affects everyone around her.
• Calling the plan foolproof struck the reviewer as an act of hubris.
• Success had made the character hubristic and unwilling to listen.

A sentence can identify hubris before any failure occurs. A bad outcome is a common theme in stories about hubris, but the word does not require a downfall to have already happened.

Hubris vs arrogance

Arrogance is a broad term for an exaggerated sense of importance or superiority. Hubris strongly overlaps with it, often emphasising overconfidence that overlooks limitations, advice or possible consequences.

The difference is a matter of emphasis rather than a strict boundary. “His arrogance offended his classmates” focuses on his manner towards others. “His hubris led him to ignore the instructions” focuses on excessive belief in his own judgment.

Neither word is a neutral description. Give specific evidence in your writing instead of using either as an unsupported label for a real person.

Grammar, related forms and origin

Hubris is usually uncountable: write “His hubris surprised us” or “That decision showed hubris.” For one example, an act of hubris is useful; avoid “a hubris” in ordinary learner sentences.

Hubristic is the adjective: “a hubristic claim.” The word comes from Greek and is associated with discussions of pride and overstepping limits in classical literature. Its modern use also extends to everyday decisions, institutions and fictional characters.

Try writing two sentences about the same character: one showing justified confidence and one showing confidence that ignores a clear warning.

Practise hubris: three quick questions

Try each question before opening its answer. If a question asks you to write a sentence, your own correct example is welcome.

Question 1

Which is more natural in ordinary use: “an act of hubris” or “a hubris”?

Question 2

Must a character already have failed before their attitude can be called hubris?

Question 3

Complete the sentence with the adjective: “The narrator criticised the leader’s ___ claim.”

Keep learning

Watch How to Pronounce Hubris? (CORRECTLY) Meaning & Pronunciation by Julien Miquel on YouTube.

Compare these words next: Pragmatic meaning and practice and Epitome meaning and practice.

Continue with free daily English practice or choose another activity in the learning app.

Dictionary reference: Merriam-Webster: Hubris. The examples and practice questions on this page are written for English Skill Studio.