1 overbearing | Definition of overbearing
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overbearing

adjective
over·​bear·​ing | \ ˌō-vər-ˈber-iŋ How to pronounce overbearing (audio) \

Definition of overbearing

1a : tending to overwhelm : overpowering had to deal with his overbearing mother
b : decisively important : dominant didn't think it was the overbearing consideration here— J. S. Cooper
2 : harshly and haughtily arrogant the mayor's overbearing manner of dealing with employees
Other Words from overbearing Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about overbearing

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Other Words from overbearing

overbearingly \ ˌō-​vər-​ˈber-​iŋ-​lē How to pronounce overbearingly (audio) \ adverb

Choose the Right Synonym for overbearing

proud, arrogant, haughty, lordly, insolent, overbearing, supercilious, disdainful mean showing scorn for inferiors. proud may suggest an assumed superiority or loftiness. too proud to take charity arrogant implies a claiming for oneself of more consideration or importance than is warranted. a conceited and arrogant executive haughty suggests a consciousness of superior birth or position. a haughty aristocrat lordly implies pomposity or an arrogant display of power. a lordly condescension insolent implies contemptuous haughtiness. ignored by an insolent waiter overbearing suggests a tyrannical manner or an intolerable insolence. an overbearing supervisor supercilious implies a cool, patronizing haughtiness. an aloof and supercilious manner disdainful suggests a more active and openly scornful superciliousness. disdainful of their social inferiors

Examples of overbearing in a Sentence

He had to deal with his overbearing mother. Her husband's overbearing manner made her miserable.

Recent Examples on the Web

 Indonesia, Timor-Leste's overbearing neighbour, has never paid a price for its crimes there. — The Economist, "Twenty years after its vote for independence, Timor-Leste looks back," 1 Sep. 2019 The owner of a gym and an overbearing entrepreneur form dodgeball teams to compete for $50,000 in Las Vegas. — Los Angeles Times, "Movies on TV this week Sept. 1 - 7, 2019: John Wayne in ‘The Searchers’ and more," 30 Aug. 2019 Only about 10% of bosses cross the line from merely overbearing to abusive, Tepper says, and that number has stayed remarkably steady from workplace to workplace and from year to year. — Chris Woolston, Quartz at Work, "How to deal with an abusive boss," 29 Aug. 2019 Most disappointing was a stuffed spiny lobster tail ($38), which featured baked, tough chunks whose natural sweetness got lost in an overbearing citrus butter. — Michael Mayo, sun-sentinel.com, "Review: Las Olas trio, part 2 — Boathouse (hot), El Camino (loud) and Flight 19 (a mystery)," 15 Aug. 2019 And women candidates have to strike an incredibly tricky balance in the public eye: being confident without being boastful, being stylish without being either too garish or too frumpy, and appearing strong without being overbearing. — Ella Nilsen, Vox, "“Likability” ratings in a recent New Hampshire poll show just how tough female candidates have it," 23 July 2019 Walk away from overbearing individuals who are indulgent or trying to push their way of life on you. — Eugenia Last, The Mercury News, "Horoscopes: July 12, 2019," 12 July 2019 Lim was cast as Mr. Chu, the overbearing father of a young man who has twice placed second in the national spelling bee in Washington, D.C. — Don Maines, Houston Chronicle, "Asian-American actor helps update Texas City ‘Millie’ show," 10 July 2019 Through the years, she's been overbearing and overwhelming. — cleveland.com, "Dear Annie: How do I deal with my partner’s overbearing mother?," 21 July 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'overbearing.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of overbearing

1614, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

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More Definitions for overbearing

overbearing

adjective
How to pronounce overbearing (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of overbearing

disapproving : often trying to control the behavior of other people in an annoying or unwanted way

See the full definition for overbearing in the English Language Learners Dictionary

overbearing

adjective
over·​bear·​ing | \ ˌō-vər-ˈber-iŋ\

Kids Definition of overbearing

: acting in a proud or bossy way toward other people

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