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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
Listed as one of the world's noisiest cities, New York can feel overbearing at times. Jason Phillips, USA Today, 11 July 2025 However good both these actors are in their roles, whatever sparks fly are as artificial as the overbearing CGI. Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 9 July 2025 The more tense scenes arrive in the form of the Jackson 5’s overbearing, exploitative father Joseph (Matt Mills), and the various allegations that have tainted the star’s legacy leading up to and since his 2009 death are quietly alluded to. Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 4 July 2025 My Mom Died is a heartbreaking and hilarious recounting of McCurdy’s struggles as a former child actor while dealing with her overbearing, domineering mother. Charley Ross, Glamour, 2 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for overbearing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for overbearing
Adjective
  • Other young pitchers stepping up in bullpen Nunez was dominant in 11 outings for the Padres’ Triple-A affiliate this season, surrendering no runs in 12 1/3 innings of work, and held a 3.86 ERA in four MLB appearances for San Diego.
    Sean Campbell, Sacbee.com, 3 Aug. 2025
  • And Americans are increasingly skeptical about the value of college, polls have shown, with Republicans, the dominant party in rural America, losing confidence in higher education at higher rates than Democrats.
    Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 2 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • While Western democracies debate environmental reviews and grid reliability, authoritarian systems can rapidly direct energy flows to computing infrastructure.
    Güney Yıldız, Forbes.com, 25 July 2025
  • North Korea is under sanctions from the United States — as well as the United Nations and several other countries — largely in response to the isolated authoritarian state's weapons programs.
    Alana Wise, NPR, 25 July 2025
Adjective
  • Two for one The satellite combines two main instruments that, unlike optical telescopes, can gather data through clouds and at night.
    Eric Berger, ArsTechnica, 30 July 2025
  • The three main causes of hydroplaning are: Vehicle speed - When a vehicle's speed increases, the tire-traction grip and ability to control the vehicle decreases.
    CA Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 30 July 2025
Adjective
  • Avoid being domineering, but also avoid being stepped on by someone else.
    Georgia Nicols, Denver Post, 25 July 2025
  • My Mom Died is a heartbreaking and hilarious recounting of McCurdy’s struggles as a former child actor while dealing with her overbearing, domineering mother.
    Charley Ross, Glamour, 2 July 2025
Adjective
  • Where in the past the predominant parties would at least pay lip service by either demanding higher taxes or lower spending, that appears to be out the window in DC these days.
    Michael Khouw, CNBC, 24 July 2025
  • Your predominant dosha—whether vata, pitta, or kapha—affects everything from your personality to your sleep tendencies.
    Anjana Rajbhandary, Outside Online, 20 July 2025
Adjective
  • Christopher McDonald plays Happy’s comically villainous, arrogant rival Shooter McGavin, maestro of the finger guns.
    Skyler Trepel, EW.com, 25 July 2025
  • In addition to Sandler, the 2025 film also sees the return of several familiar faces, including Julie Bowen as Happy’s love interest, Virginia Venit; Christopher McDonald as Shooter McGavin, Happy’s arrogant nemesis; and Ben Stiller as Hal L., the orderly from Happy’s grandmother’s nursing home.
    Monica Mercuri, Forbes.com, 25 July 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
  • Since his memorable performance on the Netflix sci-fi show, Quinn has starred alongside Lupita Nyong’o in A Quiet Place: Day One and played a tyrannical emperor in Gladiator II.
    Olivia Singh, Forbes.com, 24 July 2025
  • Such control isn’t intrinsically tyrannical or oppressive.
    Michael W. Clune, Harpers Magazine, 16 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Overbearing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overbearing. Accessed 6 Aug. 2025.

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