overbearing

adjective

over·​bear·​ing ˌō-vər-ˈber-iŋ 

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 here

—J. S. Cooper

2

: harshly and haughtily arrogant

the mayor's overbearing manner of dealing with employees

overbearingly

ˌō-vər-ˈber-iŋ-lē 

adverb

Synonyms

• dominant
• main
• predominant
• greatest
• highest
• primary
• foremost
• big
• leading
• first
• supreme
• central

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

Yet, the messaging does not come across as too heavy or overbearing. —Lynnette Nicholas, Parents, 17 June 2025

There’s deep emotion and vulnerability in Blanchett’s work, with its performance counteracting the New Boy’s calm and comfortable otherness with an almost overbearing dedication to care. —Ella Kemp, IndieWire, 23 May 2025

As the years have passed and new storylines are tackled, John has tried to set some serious boundaries with Barb and her overbearing opinions. —Sara Belcher, People.com, 9 May 2025

Everyone has a reason to hate John Paul (Claes Bang), the overbearing and abusive husband of one of the sisters, Grace Garvey (Anne-Marie Duff). —Barry Levitt, Time, 24 Apr. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1614, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for overbearing

• airing
• bearing
• blaring
• caring
• chairing
• charing
• daring
• erring
• fairing
• flaring
• glaring
• haring

Kids Definition

overbearing

adjective

over·​bear·​ing

-ˈba(ə)r-iŋ,

-ˈbe(ə)r-

: arrogant, domineering

overbearingly adverb