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 domineering
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
The service The service at the hotel is unmatched without being overbearing. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 26 Jan. 2026 This means not undershooting to the point of looking clueless and not overshooting to the point of looking overbearing. —Gorick Ng, CNBC, 26 Jan. 2026
Verb
Even independent dramatic features made without overbearing producers are often directed no more originally than ones made for TV. —Justin Chang, New Yorker, 5 Dec. 2025 Mediating between his harried wife Debra (Patricia Heaton), overbearing mother Marie (Doris Roberts), grouchy father Frank (Peter Boyle), and gloomy brother Robert (Brad Garrett), Ray always had a lot on his plate. —Danny Horn, Entertainment Weekly, 24 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for overbearing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for overbearing
  1. dominant
  2. domineering
  3. defeating
  4. main
  5. authoritarian
  6. overcoming
  7. arrogant
  8. mastering
Adjective
  • According to the Washington Post, there's currently about $200 million in political bets riding on the two dominant prediction platforms, Kalshi and Polymarket.
    — Dana Taylor, USA Today, 11 Feb. 2026
  • Dee Valladares is widely considered the most dominant winner in Survivor’s new era.
    — Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 11 Feb. 2026
Definition of dominant
Adjective
  • Even though Kenneth was the one to shoot Sheridan, both the jury and the judge accepted the prosecution's argument that Ronald was the domineering brother and had planned and directed the killing.
    — Amanda Lee Myers, USA Today, 10 Feb. 2026
  • In the movie, set in medieval England, Anne (Turner) and her domineering mother-in-law, Morwen (Gay Harden), struggle to survive on the outskirts of society.
    — Jessica Radloff, Glamour, 1 Feb. 2026
Definition of domineering
Verb
  • For the Chinese Communist Party, which stakes its claim to legitimacy on defeating Japanese invaders during World War II, that would be an unforgivable outrage.
    — Andy Browne, semafor.com, 9 Feb. 2026
  • The Big Game Seattle Seahawks' players celebrate with the Vince Lombardi Trophy after defeating the New England Patriots during Super Bowl LX at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California on February 8, 2026.
    — Josephine Rozzelle, CNBC, 9 Feb. 2026
Definition of defeating
Adjective
  • The drinks themselves Berghain’s drink selection is certainly not the club’s main point of attraction.
    — Jessica Chapel, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 Feb. 2026
  • Then his main competitor, Yuma Yagiyama of Japan, had a subpar skate just before Malinin took the ice as the last skater of the night.
    — John Cherwa, Los Angeles Times, 14 Feb. 2026
Definition of main
Adjective
  • In other words, diaspora activists may advocate positions that resonate with Western audiences, but find little support among those actually living under authoritarian rule.
    — Michael Paarlberg, The Conversation, 12 Feb. 2026
  • Trump’s steamrolling of anything, including the Constitution, that might impede his authoritarian project has made the limpness of the Democratic opposition more conspicuous.
    — Mark Leibovich, The Atlantic, 11 Feb. 2026
Definition of authoritarian
Verb
  • Jones said her journey to reach this point has been defined by overcoming adversity and a devotion to family.
    — Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 12 Feb. 2026
  • Medical experts and public health leaders say overcoming hesitancy is key in preventing further spread in and around Charlotte, and preventing the rise of other infectious diseases.
    — Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 10 Feb. 2026
Definition of overcoming
Adjective
  • He is paired with an arrogant young partner (Lou), a second-generation political scion whose personality clashes sharply with his own.
    — Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 29 Jan. 2026
  • In the early years of his fame as a writer, Rushdie had something of a reputation for being prickly and arrogant, but Gibney’s portrait reveals a man mellowed by time and experience.
    — David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 25 Jan. 2026
Definition of arrogant
Verb
  • Despite the long history of elite WTA players mastering the art of the moonball, Caroline Wozniacki and Angelique Kerber chief among them, sending tennis balls into the atmosphere still draws out the sport’s eternal, often cursed relationship between style and ethics.
    — James Hansen, New York Times, 9 Feb. 2026
  • The percentage of third-graders mastering grade level performance in reading increased from 18% in 2024 to 21% in 2025, according to officials.
    — Lina Ruiz, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 Feb. 2026
Definition of mastering

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Cite this Entry

“Overbearing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overbearing. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of overbearing for Spanish Speakers

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