overbearing

adjective

over·​bear·​ing ˌō-vər-ˈber-iŋ How to pronounce overbearing (audio)
1
a
: tending to overwhelm : overpowering
had to deal with his overbearing mother
b
: decisively important : dominant
didn't think it was the overbearing consideration hereJ. S. Cooper
2
: harshly and haughtily arrogant
the mayor's overbearing manner of dealing with employees
overbearingly 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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Richardson-Sellers plays Wolfie, the overbearing girlfriend of King Princess' Tina. Randall Colburn, EW.com, 21 May 2025 The overbearing Dawn, who has outstayed her welcome in what was supposed to be a temporary lockdown solution, is not Joe’s only headache at home. David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 16 May 2025 Despite its innate confidence and charisma, its fiery levels of assertion could come across as overbearing. Valerie Mesa, People.com, 16 May 2025 Karen Pittman—who’s been wonderfully ubiquitous lately, with roles in And Just Like That and The Morning Show—is a standout as Justin’s overbearing mom, Dawn. Judy Berman, Time, 8 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for overbearing

Word History

First Known Use

1614, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of overbearing was in 1614

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Overbearing.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/overbearing. Accessed 28 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

overbearing

adjective
over·​bear·​ing
-ˈba(ə)r-iŋ,
-ˈbe(ə)r-
overbearingly adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on overbearing

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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