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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
All the business with Ashley’s off-stage life feels ripped from a standard contentious relationship between loose cannon celebrity and overbearing manager. Steve Greene, IndieWire, 12 Apr. 2025 The complainant claimed to feel uncomfortable and her companions described Alves’ attitude towards her as overbearing. Laia Cervelló Herrero, New York Times, 6 Apr. 2025 Licensed therapist Lauren Mollica advised that maintaining a united front as a couple is key when dealing with overbearing parents. Justin Gest, Newsweek, 11 Feb. 2025 Directed by Roach, Meet the Parents focuses on a nurse (Stiller) having trouble winning over his girlfriend’s overbearing father (De Niro). Ryan Gajewski, The Hollywood Reporter, 20 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for overbearing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for overbearing
Adjective
  • In deep-red states, Trump remains a dominant force.
    Mohammed Soliman, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Apr. 2025
  • Arizona Cardinals First pick: DT Walter Nolen The Cardinals took some big swings, starting with Nolen, who can be dominant on his best snaps and complements the team’s free-agent signings of edges Josh Sweat and Baron Browning.
    Josh Kendall, New York Times, 29 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • His parents were Italian immigrants who fled Benito Mussolini’s fascist regime, and his grandmother Rosa Margherita Vassallo di Bergoglio was active in Catholic Action, formed by Italian bishops who wanted to maintain their independence from Mussolini’s authoritarian rule.
    Olivia B. Waxman, Time, 21 Apr. 2025
  • Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orban has been called an authoritarian, and previous reports have noted restrictions to civil liberties.
    Graham Smith, NPR, 18 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • These kinds of breaches often happen quietly, exposing large amounts of customer information without touching a company’s main systems.
    Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 25 Apr. 2025
  • The Bills will very likely want to find someone who can offer more versatility somewhere else while being their main returner, and running back might be the best place to find one.
    Joe Buscaglia, New York Times, 25 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • As mild-mannered schoolteacher Mr. Lisbon, James Woods plays a quiet counterpoint to his domineering wife.
    Sezin Devi Koehler, EW.com, 21 Apr. 2025
  • Among them towers the frighteningly domineering Honoria Glossop.
    Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 18 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • So the predominant number of that 3,500 is from the Civil War.
    Stephen Humphries, Christian Science Monitor, 30 Apr. 2025
  • Schiava was for a long while the predominant grape of AA, yet it was not held in high regard.
    John Mariani, Forbes.com, 24 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • That doesn’t portray a hero, but rather someone so arrogant as to invent his own law and appoint himself its executioner.
    Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 11 Apr. 2025
  • Maybe so, but that’s an arrogant thing for such a young killer to say.
    Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 5 Apr. 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
  • And what can today’s resistance movements facing tyrannical regimes learn from their success?
    John Blake, CNN Money, 20 Apr. 2025
  • Howard plays himself as a tyrannical auteur who petulantly refuses to cut a vacuous scene from his overlong thriller, warding off pleas only to change his mind at the moment of truth.
    Peter Bart, Deadline, 10 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Overbearing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overbearing. Accessed 5 May. 2025.

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