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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
Almost immediately, reports began to reach New York about Nathan’s overbearing management style. Sam Knight, New Yorker, 25 Aug. 2025 The staff is friendly but not overbearing. Katherine Polcari, Southern Living, 24 Aug. 2025
Verb
Getty Images Jerry Jones continues to play the role of overbearing hard-liner with Cowboys linebacker Micah Parsons. Steve Silverman, Forbes.com, 27 Aug. 2025 And Tess is now a podcast host and overbearing grandmother. Jay Stahl, USA Today, 9 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for overbearing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for overbearing
Adjective
  • In the past year, tariffs, AI, and changing consumer sentiments have made once-dominant companies reshuffle their growth strategies.
    Charlotte Hu, Time, 10 Sep. 2025
  • Then there is the Carnegie, which has become a dominant force in summer entertainment with its excellent summer series.
    David Lyman, The Enquirer, 10 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Now, the same institutions once intimidated by authoritarian power have declared that a former commander-in-chief conspired to revoke the 2022 election, assassinate rivals, and eventually unleash street chaos to hold on to power.
    Julia Vargas Jones, CNN Money, 12 Sep. 2025
  • Ray's father was a dissenter who was executed by the Major himself for his outspoken anti-authoritarian views, and Ray wants revenge.
    Megan McCluskey, Time, 12 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Auburn opened the season by defeating visiting Baylor by two touchdowns, a good win to begin with and one that looks better after the Bears outlasted SMU.
    Tom Layberger, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025
  • Spanish star Carlos Alcaraz won his second US Open title, defeating Italian rival Jannik Sinner in four thrilling sets.
    Alexandra Banner, CNN Money, 8 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • The Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF), which has organized dozens of boats to sail to Gaza carrying humanitarian aid, said that one of its main vessels was targeted in a drone strike just after midnight local time on Tuesday while docked near the Tunisian capital.
    Callum Sutherland, Time, 10 Sep. 2025
  • Tribhuvan International Airport, the country's main international airport, was also shut down due to smoke in the area.
    Juliana Kim, NPR, 10 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Also in the cast: Emmy winner Laurie Metcalfe, as Augusta Gein, the murderer's religious, domineering mother; Tom Hollander as director Alfred Hitchcock; Olivia Williams as the filmmaker's wife, Alma Reville Hitchcock; and Lesley Manville, as Gein's second murder victim, Bernice Worden.
    Chris Foran, jsonline.com, 28 Aug. 2025
  • Cappellazzo could be domineering.
    Sam Knight, New Yorker, 25 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • He was reminded that his career had been shaped by overcoming doubts and slights going back to high school, when he was offered the same amount of Division I football scholarships that were offered to the average sportswriter who covers him.
    Ian O'Connor, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2025
  • But by the end, in its rush, the movie still hasn’t quite come up with a point of view on whether McCartney really got over his bust-up with Lennon with a little help from his Wings friends, or whether forming a band was ultimately incidental to overcoming any lingering separation anxiety.
    Chris Willman, Variety, 4 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Advertisement Lee grew up near Manchester’s Christ Church of the Church of England, but struggled to understand their beliefs, never fitting in with the predominant religion.
    Barry Levitt, Time, 10 Sep. 2025
  • Should contempt become the predominant way that two partners communicate with one another, one or both will eventually reach a breaking point.
    Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 7 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • These early years emphasized goofiness, offensiveness, and mocking arrogant celebrities who pushed their platforms at award shows.
    Chris Yogerst, HollywoodReporter, 30 Aug. 2025
  • The announcement was made during a backstage segment involving NXT General Manager Ava and the arrogant superstar Lexis King.
    Andrew Ravens‎, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Aug. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Overbearing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overbearing. Accessed 13 Sep. 2025.

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