overbearing
adjective
over·bear·ing
ˌō-vər-ˈber-iŋ 
1
a
: tending to overwhelm : overpowering
had to deal with his overbearing mother
b
: decisively important : dominant
didn't think it was the overbearing consideration here—
J. S. Cooper
J. S. Cooper2
: harshly and haughtily arrogant
the mayor's overbearing manner of dealing with employees
Examples of overbearing in a Sentence
He had to deal with his overbearing mother.
Her husband's overbearing manner made her miserable.
Recent Examples on the Web
Helmed by Roach, Meet the Parents focuses on a nurse (Stiller) having trouble getting accepted by his girlfriend’s overbearing father (De Niro).
—Ryan Gajewski, HollywoodReporter, 23 July 2025
The local megachurch is its own whole thing, with Shondaland stalwart Katie Lowes giving a delightfully overbearing performance as Jill, a preacher’s wife and Margo sidekick who’s plotting to profit off of her husband’s influence.
—Judy Berman, Time, 21 July 2025
The drink’s habanero heat was not overbearing, and felt reminiscent of an iced chai latte.
—Kat Tran
updated July 12, Sacbee.com, 12 July 2025
Its special effects are more overbearing than special; the plot is all problem-solving and no poetry.
—Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 11 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for overbearing
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Ryan Gajewski, HollywoodReporter, 23 July 2025
The local megachurch is its own whole thing, with Shondaland stalwart Katie Lowes giving a delightfully overbearing performance as Jill, a preacher’s wife and Margo sidekick who’s plotting to profit off of her husband’s influence.
—Judy Berman, Time, 21 July 2025
The drink’s habanero heat was not overbearing, and felt reminiscent of an iced chai latte.
—Kat Tran
updated July 12, Sacbee.com, 12 July 2025
Its special effects are more overbearing than special; the plot is all problem-solving and no poetry.
—Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 11 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for overbearing
Cite this Entry
“Overbearing.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/overbearing. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.
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