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.
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 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

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Cite this Entry

“Overbearing.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/overbearing. Accessed 8 Jul. 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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