overbearing 1 of 2

adjective

ˌō-vər-ˈber-iŋ How to pronounce overbearing (audio)
Definition of overbearingnext
1
as in dominant
coming before all others in importance the overbearing problem in our nation's schools

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in authoritarian
fond of ordering people around the doctor's overbearing attitude is resented by nurses and patients alike

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

overbearing

2 of 2

verb

present participle of overbear
as in defeating
to achieve a victory over that year the football team simply overbore opponent after opponent with steamroller ruthlessness

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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
  1. dominant
  2. authoritarian
  3. defeating
  4. main
  5. domineering
  6. overcoming
  7. predominant
  8. arrogant
Adjective
  • Gibson, of course, had one of the most dominant seasons ever in 1968.
    — Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 17 Sep. 2025
  • The International Style, also called Modern European Architecture Style, refers to architecture that emerged in Holland, France and Germany after World War I and became the dominant architectural style until the 1970s.
    — Jamie L. LaReau, USA Today, 17 Sep. 2025
Definition of dominant
Adjective
  • This then begs the question, If there was a majority of Koreans who wanted social democratic style reforms, and their aspirations had the support of American and Korean reformers in the military government, why did South Korea end up with an authoritarian regime led by Syngman Rhee?
    — Kornel Chang September 19, Literary Hub, 19 Sep. 2025
  • Paine, of course, marshalled the phrase in service of a radical anti-authoritarian movement.
    — Jon Allsop, New Yorker, 19 Sep. 2025
Definition of authoritarian
Verb
  • The Chargers got off to a hot start to the season in year two under Jim Harbaugh by defeating the Chiefs 27-21 in the NFL season opener.
    — Ben Verbrugge, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Sep. 2025
  • Jovic lifted the trophy by defeating Colombia’s Emiliana Arango 6-4, 6-1 in Sunday’s final of the WTA 500 tournament in Zapopan, Mexico.
    — Manasi Pathak, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025
Definition of defeating
Adjective
  • The character collection leans into more alternate builds for main characters.
    — Rob Wieland, Forbes.com, 17 Sep. 2025
  • Use jig and pigs 18 to 25 feet deep along brush piles or main lake points with a gradual slope.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 16 Sep. 2025
Definition of main
Adjective
  • Managers often grow more assertive (sometimes drifting into domineering).
    — Dave Winsborough, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
  • 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
Definition of domineering
Verb
  • The movie adaptation is also rife with metaphors about boys becoming men and overcoming life-or-death circumstances to make it out the other side.
    — Brian Truitt, USA Today, 11 Sep. 2025
  • But in reality, deepfakes are getting better and the threat industry has many years of experience in honing lures to trick people, playing on emotions and overcoming natural suspicions and objections.
    — Zak Doffman, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025
Definition of overcoming
Adjective
  • Advertisement Lee believes a key factor is that Korean society has no predominant religion but a smattering of similarly sized faiths that maintain a balanced following without chafing against each other.
    — Charlie Campbell, Time, 17 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
Definition of predominant
Adjective
  • Zane played the arrogant Cal Hockley, who was engaged to Jack's love interest, Rose (played by Kate Winslet).
    — Virginia Chamlee, People.com, 9 Sep. 2025
  • Hardly seems like enough to cow these arrogant companies into behaving, especially when their business model is so intrinsically tied to hoovering up other people’s information and creative work.
    — James Folta, Literary Hub, 8 Sep. 2025
Definition of arrogant

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Cite this Entry

“Overbearing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overbearing. Accessed 21 Sep. 2025.

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