Overpriced

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Overpriced" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is considered to be too expensive for its value or quality. Example: "The restaurant's menu was filled with overpriced dishes that didn't meet our expectations."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

In the fashionably overpriced Coffee Mania, women in furs sip green tea through surgically enhanced lips and keep their heavily mascara'd eyes peeled for a wealthy "sponsor".

The Guardian

"If risk is overpriced, and agents over-pessimistic, communicating that might help in correcting overshoots in risk appetite… A more optimistic popular narrative might have a role to play in helping correct today's market pessimism," Haldane said.

The Guardian - Business

Apple Watch reviews: the 'elegant', overpriced gadget 'you don't need' Apple Watch arrives in stores – but gold ones are like gold dust outside London.

The Guardian - Tech

Editor Christine Middap told the Beast she received a letter of complaint from a woman which said: "I was very disappointed and upset to see your 'Easter advertising promotion' featuring rabbits with overpriced bling strung around their necks and down their little faces.

The Guardian

Was it ridiculous for her to bankrupt herself buying overpriced paint?

The Guardian - Opinion

And then: more trouble, in the shape of Paltrow's nemesis Blake Lively, proprietor of Goop's upstart rival in the world of websites flogging insufferably marketed, overpriced cobblers, Preserve.

The Guardian - Film

They are campaigning for a new form of money creation, one that doesn't rely on anti-social institutions (banks) extending debt to people buying overpriced houses.

The Guardian

At lunchtime, the menu consists of overpriced mini-pizzas, but at night they offer oysters, the region's speciality, and a view of the hotel's private pier, stretching out into the lagoon.

The Guardian - Travel

Good for design lovers and next-big-thing seekers Sleeps 6 Cost from €2,680 a week In the holiday season, flights to Lisbon offer significantly better value than overpriced charters to the Algarve, and one hour to the south of the Portuguese capital lie the underrated beaches of Comporta.

The Guardian - Travel

Italian tourists in their uniform of brown quilted jackets, Americans expecting Hugh Grant, but getting a surly fast-food server who throws an overpriced pasty at them, and desperate souls scouring for cigarette butts.

The Guardian - Travel

It is perfectly possible to promote trade without inviting the entire world to come and stay in the overcrowded and overpriced south-east.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "overpriced", consider the context and whether a more precise term like "overvalued" or "exorbitant" might be more appropriate to convey the specific nuance you intend.

Common error

Avoid labeling something as "overpriced" simply because you cannot afford it. The term implies an objective assessment of value versus price, not merely personal affordability.

Linguistic Context

The term "overpriced" primarily functions as an adjective. It modifies nouns to describe items or services that are considered too expensive for their worth. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "overpriced" is a commonly used adjective to describe items or services that cost more than their perceived value. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. While its register is generally neutral, its usage often implies disapproval. Alternatives include "overvalued" and "exorbitant". When using "overpriced", ensure it reflects a genuine assessment of value rather than mere personal affordability. The most authoritative examples come from sources like The Economist and The Guardian.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Overvalued

This term focuses on the inflated perception of value rather than the asking price.

Exorbitant

Emphasizes the excessiveness of the price, suggesting it's far beyond reasonable.

Inflated in price

Highlights the artificial increase in price, implying it's not justified by the product's inherent value.

Priced too high

A straightforward way of saying something costs more than it should.

Unreasonably expensive

Focuses on the lack of justification for the high cost.

Rip-off

Indicates that the price is unfairly high, bordering on deceptive.

Cost an arm and a leg

An idiomatic expression to convey an extremely high price.

Extortionate

Similar to exorbitant but carries a stronger connotation of being exploitative.

Excessively priced

Highlights that the price is beyond what is considered normal or acceptable.

Over the odds

A British idiom meaning more expensive than it should be.

FAQs

How can I use "overpriced" in a sentence?

You can use "overpriced" to describe items or services that cost more than their actual value. For instance, "The souvenirs at the airport were incredibly overpriced."

What's the difference between "overpriced" and "expensive"?

"Overpriced" implies that something isn't worth the high price, while "expensive" simply means it costs a lot, regardless of its inherent value or justification.

What are some alternatives to saying something is "overpriced"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "overvalued", "exorbitant", or "unreasonably expensive".

Is it correct to say something is "slightly overpriced"?

Yes, you can use adverbs like "slightly", "somewhat", or "considerably" to modify "overpriced" and indicate the degree to which the price exceeds the perceived value.