overpriced

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'overpriced' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that is priced higher than is reasonable or expected. For example: "I bought this shirt but it was overpriced so I returned it."

✓ 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

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

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

AIG sold so many credit default swaps because they thought risk was overpriced and they wanted to take advantage of it.

The Economist

The country's telecommunications services are overpriced and inadequate.

The Economist

Surely, if a charge can be levied against those bankers it is that they overpriced these IPOs.

The Economist

India's new airports, irrigation schemes and toll roads are typically overpriced and often late because they are built by firms with political ties.Politicians want the lifestyle enjoyed by the country's billionaires, but parties also raise huge quantities of cash to win elections.

The Economist

Staff are sulky; the toys are overpriced and badly presented.But here there is a glimmer of hope.

The Economist

But behind the bleak news for high-tech companies is good news for their customers.Hardware manufacturers have been hit hardest, with makers of telecoms gear in the deepest trouble because they pumped up the bubble, with generous customer financing and overpriced acquisitions.

The Economist

Of course, one way to tell if a home is overpriced is to see whether it's been sitting on the market for a while.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "overpriced", be specific about what makes the item or service not worth the cost. Provide context, such as comparing it to alternatives or explaining its lack of value.

Common error

Avoid using "overpriced" without justification, as value is subjective. Clearly explain why you believe something is too expensive to avoid alienating readers or sounding biased.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "overpriced" is as an adjective. It modifies nouns to indicate that their price is considered too high relative to their value. Ludwig AI's analysis shows that it accurately reflects this adjectival usage across numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "overpriced" functions as an adjective indicating that the cost of something is too high in relation to its value. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage. It is suitable for neutral registers, appearing frequently in news and business contexts. Effective use involves providing context for the valuation. Consider alternatives like "excessively expensive" or "unjustifiably expensive" for nuanced expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

excessively expensive

Emphasizes the degree to which the price exceeds what is reasonable.

unreasonably priced

Highlights the lack of justification for the high cost.

overvalued

Focuses on the perceived worth being inflated.

exorbitantly priced

Highlights the extreme nature of the pricing.

unjustifiably expensive

Stresses the lack of a valid reason for the high cost.

too dear

A more formal or old-fashioned way of saying too expensive.

highly-priced

A simple and direct alternative emphasizing the elevated price.

rip-off

Implies intentional overcharging and unfairness.

pricey

A more informal and concise way of saying expensive.

cost an arm and a leg

An idiomatic expression suggesting a very high price.

FAQs

How can I use "overpriced" in a sentence?

You can use "overpriced" to describe items or services that cost more than their perceived value. For example, "The food at that restaurant was delicious, but it was incredibly overpriced."

What's a less common way to say "overpriced"?

Alternatives to "overpriced" include "unreasonably priced", "exorbitantly priced", or "unjustifiably expensive", though these may sound more formal.

What is the difference between "expensive" and "overpriced"?

"Expensive" simply means something has a high cost. "Overpriced" implies that the cost is too high relative to the item's value or quality.

When is it appropriate to describe something as "overpriced"?

Use "overpriced" when you believe the cost of something significantly exceeds what is reasonable or justifiable based on its features, quality, or market comparisons.