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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
His father, Dave, was a salesman who never recovered from the Great Depression; the breadwinner was his mother, Rhoda, a fashion sketch artist whose overbearing nature left track marks on his psyche. Elaine Woo, Los Angeles Times, 21 Jan. 2025 Whatever emotion and nuance went into the original goes out the window for the 2017 sequel, which introduces us to the overbearing fathers of Brad (Ferrell) and Dusty (Mark Wahlberg). Tim Grierson, Vulture, 4 Feb. 2025 Audra McDonald leads the cast as overbearing showmom Mama Rose, who enthusiastically dedicates herself to managing the vaudeville careers of her daughters, June and Louise. Kristen Tauer, WWD, 20 Jan. 2025 Lewis Lupton Photo: Bravo/Vincent Cerone/Bravo Bosun Below Deck Adventure Season 1 — Usually bosuns are too overbearing, but this one was too wishy-washy. Brian Moylan, Vulture, 31 Dec. 2024 See All Example Sentences for overbearing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for overbearing
Adjective
  • This spring, Avila touched 98 mph in a game and Sisk was dominant with Triple-A Omaha.
    Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 27 Feb. 2025
  • One of the most dominant forces in the chip industry is Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co (TSMC), which manufactures the chips that power phones and laptops and are central to the output of key American AI players like NVIDIA.
    Andrew R. Chow, TIME, 27 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • The authoritarian manosphere is organized around a hierarchy topped by heroic male warriors.
    Robert B. Reich, Hartford Courant, 4 Mar. 2025
  • Fragile post-conflict governments often struggle to maintain popular support, and without a strong commitment to justice and accountability, there is a real risk that authoritarian tendencies will resurface.
    PATRICK VINCK, Foreign Affairs, 4 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • My one and only visit was decades ago, in middle school, when my main priority was riding the roller coaster.
    Mariah Tyler, Travel + Leisure, 8 Mar. 2025
  • In addition to a cozy and updated three-bedroom, 1,600-square-foot main home, there’s a small 19th-century cabin with a rock chimney still standing on the property.
    David Caraccio, Sacramento Bee, 8 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Here's Your Zodiac Love Compatibility, Based on Your Sign Sagittarius: Rachel Chu from Crazy Rich Asians To maintain her relationship, Rachel takes on a fight with her boyfriend’s domineering mother Eleanor.
    Lisa Stardust, People.com, 13 Feb. 2025
  • He’s had something of a habit of playing domineering fathers, doing so on Ugly Betty (2006–2007) and as Charles Widmore on Lost (2006–2010).
    Sezin Devi Koehler, EW.com, 8 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • Here’s how Stein went from making muffin mixes in her New York apartment’s kitchen to building one of the country’s predominant granola brands.
    Ryan Johnston,Zachary Green, CNBC, 28 Feb. 2025
  • The predominant tone in the conspiracy films of the 1970s is futility.
    Chris Vognar, New York Times, 24 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • The actor has one daughter with ex-wife Melanie Griffith and has been dating his girlfriend Nicole Kimpel since 2014. 05 of 09 John Lithgow as Lord Farquaad The actor behind the arrogant Lord Farquaad boasts an impressive career that began decades before Shrek came out in 2001.
    Zoey Lyttle, People.com, 1 Mar. 2025
  • Many members of its board appeared arrogant in the face of questions from the prosecutor or one of the lawyers.
    Laia Cervelló Herrero, The Athletic, 23 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • The future of content creation lies not in choosing between human or artificial intelligence, but in mastering their combination.
    Ian Shepherd, Forbes, 29 Dec. 2024
  • The key to mastering the look, according to A-list manicurist Tinu Bello?
    Ranyechi Udemezue, Vogue, 28 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • The Constitution that resulted outlined a separation of powers between the legislative, executive, and judicial branches, serving together as a system of checks and balances to prevent the kind of tyrannical rule that the colonies fought to free themselves from.
    Miranda Jeyaretnam, TIME, 20 Feb. 2025
  • The tyrannical showrunner, Cal, is our victim of the week, done in by his (in her mind) long-suffering leading lady, Regina Coburn (Laurie Metcalf, what a get!), who finally has a chance to put her classical training to work in a production of Macbeth in London.
    Sophie Brookover, Vulture, 19 Dec. 2024

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Cite this Entry

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

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