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overbearing

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verb

present participle of overbear

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective overbearing differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of overbearing are arrogant, disdainful, haughty, insolent, lordly, proud, and supercilious. While all these words mean "showing scorn for inferiors," overbearing suggests a tyrannical manner or an intolerable insolence.

an overbearing supervisor

In what contexts can arrogant take the place of overbearing?

The meanings of arrogant and overbearing largely overlap; however, arrogant implies a claiming for oneself of more consideration or importance than is warranted.

a conceited and arrogant executive

When would disdainful be a good substitute for overbearing?

In some situations, the words disdainful and overbearing are roughly equivalent. However, disdainful suggests a more active and openly scornful superciliousness.

disdainful of their social inferiors

When can haughty be used instead of overbearing?

While the synonyms haughty and overbearing are close in meaning, haughty suggests a consciousness of superior birth or position.

a haughty aristocrat

When could insolent be used to replace overbearing?

While in some cases nearly identical to overbearing, insolent implies contemptuous haughtiness.

ignored by an insolent waiter

When is lordly a more appropriate choice than overbearing?

Although the words lordly and overbearing have much in common, lordly implies pomposity or an arrogant display of power.

a lordly condescension

When is it sensible to use proud instead of overbearing?

The words proud and overbearing can be used in similar contexts, but proud may suggest an assumed superiority or loftiness.

too proud to take charity

Where would supercilious be a reasonable alternative to overbearing?

The words supercilious and overbearing are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, supercilious implies a cool, patronizing haughtiness.

an aloof and supercilious manner

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of overbearing
Adjective
A lot of Carmen's overbearing attitude and protectiveness towards Ana comes from fear of the unknown. Jeryl Brunner, Forbes.com, 1 June 2025 Playing with texture is spirited without being too overbearing. Kiana Murden, Vogue, 13 May 2025 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 See All Example Sentences for overbearing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for overbearing
Adjective
  • The past two years made clear that Israel, with U.S. help, is the dominant military force.
    Greg Myre, NPR, 28 June 2025
  • Yang said the hybrid ants have become the explorers and front guard for the fire ant invasion into colder and more northerly areas, becoming the dominant fire ant species in the upper elevations of Tennessee, Georgia, North Carolina and Virginia.
    Gareth McGrath, USA Today, 28 June 2025
Adjective
  • Defending institutions of higher education from increasingly authoritarian measures is an important way to safeguard not only academic freedom, but the legacy of 1776 as well.
    Time, Time, 1 July 2025
  • Even among authoritarian regimes, differences in values can limit cooperation.
    Leon Aron, The Atlantic, 29 June 2025
Adjective
  • Harper isn’t devoid of faults, with the two main ones being his defensive focus and inconsistent jump-shooting.
    Kambui Bomani, Forbes.com, 24 June 2025
  • The investment firm said Advanced Auto Parts might be losing market share to its main rivals and that the stock appears to be trading at an extended valuation.
    Fred Imbert, CNBC, 24 June 2025
Adjective
  • Despite his character's domineering presence, Morse told ScreenRant there's more than meets the eye.
    Allison DeGrushe Published, EW.com, 18 June 2025
  • It was then put to Tuchel that the show’s host Adrian Durham has friends who think England would be better off without Bellingham in the team, referring to that domineering personality.
    Tim Spiers, New York Times, 13 June 2025
Adjective
  • Rivera is especially excited by the National Music Theater Conference this year since truly original work is developed there in contrast to the predominant commercial theater trend of basing musicals closely on classic movies or novels.
    Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 29 June 2025
  • That is clearly what happened in this redistricting in Louisiana where race was the predominant factor used to draw congressional boundaries.
    Mandy Taheri, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 June 2025
Adjective
  • The protests proved conclusively that Americans will not tolerate the deployment of the U.S. military in American cities, the constant line-stepping over constitutional boundaries, the arrests of political dissenters, or the arrogant defense of police-state tactics.
    Newsweek Staff, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 June 2025
  • In Aesop’s fable, the turtle (traditionally called a tortoise, which is a type of turtle) is a winner, a perpetual underdog who defeats the arrogant hare.
    A.O. Scott, New York Times, 13 June 2025
Verb
  • The unit uses tools that were once the preserve of the world’s top mastering houses and is inspired by the artistry of mastering engineers.
    Mark Sparrow, Forbes, 25 Mar. 2025
  • From entry-level careers to the C-suite, mastering soft skills opens up leadership opportunities.
    Cheryl Robinson, Forbes, 24 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • The regime’s tyrannical efforts to control and extinguish their savings were futile against their newfound freedom money.
    Mauricio Di Bartolomeo, Forbes.com, 30 June 2025
  • In the sequel, Atwood focuses on how tyrannical regimes destroy themselves.
    EW.com, EW.com, 28 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Overbearing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overbearing. Accessed 7 Jul. 2025.

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