hubris
/ˈhjuːbrɪs/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈhjuːbrɪs/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈhyü-brəs/ (ame, mw)
hubris — noun
1. a state of extreme pride and self-confidence that makes a person or group believ
a state of extreme pride and self-confidence that makes a person or group believe they cannot fail, often leading to their eventual loss or failure — especially in classical literature, where a character's hubris brings punishment from the gods or fate.
The CEO's hubris made him ignore several warnings from his financial advisors.
possessive + hubris as subject causing action
In ancient Greek plays, a hero's hubris almost always leads to their downfall.
literary domain: hubris + leads to + downfall
Amara warned her younger brother that his hubris would cost him all his friends.
Critics said the architect's hubris was clear in his refusal to listen to safety experts.
The team's hubris after three championship wins led them to underestimate their young opponents.
- arrogance
more general term for an attitude of superiority; hubris implies arrogance that leads to downfall
- pride
broader and neutral; hubris is always excessive pride with negative results
- conceit
focuses on an inflated opinion of oneself; less dramatic than hubris
- overconfidence
stresses excessive belief in one's own ability; hubris adds moral and literary weight
文法句型
hubris + of + noun
possessive + hubris
hubris + verb (leads to, causes)
用法筆記
In classical Greek literature, hubris specifically refers to pride that causes a character to break moral or divine laws, which then brings about nemesis — their unavoidable punishment or destruction. In modern usage the word is broader but still carries a strong sense that the pride will have negative consequences. Frequently uncountable; do not pluralise as 'hubrises'.