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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
Despite its innate confidence and charisma, its fiery levels of assertion could come across as overbearing. Valerie Mesa, People.com, 16 May 2025 Karen Pittman—who’s been wonderfully ubiquitous lately, with roles in And Just Like That and The Morning Show—is a standout as Justin’s overbearing mom, Dawn. Judy Berman, Time, 8 May 2025 The House debate Wednesday was a classic battle of environmental advocates against those who see the government as overbearing and over regulating. David Lightman, Sacbee.com, 30 Apr. 2025 But Mei is convinced her overbearing mother only exists to embarrass while never understanding her struggles. Lauren Brown West-Rosenthal, Parents, 8 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for overbearing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for overbearing
Adjective
  • Edmonton has been just as dominant through the playoffs, coming back to beat Los Angeles in the first round before dispatching Vegas and Dallas.
    Adam Lichtenstein, Sun Sentinel, 2 June 2025
  • Nathan struggled in limited playoff action, but few closers in MLB history have been as consistently dominant in the regular season.
    Dan Hayes, New York Times, 2 June 2025
Adjective
  • But this one rush job, HB 1205, was especially dear to the governor’s authoritarian heart.
    Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 24 May 2025
  • Panahi’s film, his first since being released from prison in 2023, is a direct assault on Iran’s authoritarian regime.
    Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 24 May 2025
Adjective
  • Greenwood never played for his boyhood club again, despite the charges being dropped in February 2023 when the prosecution’s main witness withdrew her cooperation.
    Matt Slater, New York Times, 31 May 2025
  • Homelessness is certainly a major problem, said Julie Hayden, CEO of the East County Transitional Living Center, the area’s main shelter.
    Blake Nelson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 May 2025
Adjective
  • Randall is a rebellious new patient at a mental institution who does battle with Louise Fletcher’s domineering head nurse Mildred Ratched.
    Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 20 May 2025
  • The trial had revealed Blue Cross’ domineering behavior.
    T. Christian Miller, ProPublica, 12 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • But the predominant theme of the debate was Cuomo facing attacks from the eight other candidates, who laced into him on everything from public safety and education to affordable housing production and the ex-governor’s integrity.
    Josephine Stratman, New York Daily News, 5 June 2025
  • Apparently natural selection among the Uru, Aymara and Quechua peoples of the Bolivian Altiplano took DNA sequences that are present but rare in other populations around the world and increased their frequency to the point where the normally uncommon sequences are predominant in these groups.
    Kermit Pattison, Scientific American, 20 May 2025
Adjective
  • Richard was known for being outspoken, if not arrogant, consistently rubbing his Tagi tribe the wrong way and offending some of them with his blatant display of nudity on the island.
    Nick Caruso, TVLine, 27 May 2025
  • Multiple people described him to me as unpopular and arrogant.
    Amanda Chicago Lewis, Harpers Magazine, 29 Apr. 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
  • Coupled with his hateful rhetoric, threats, lies, erratic policies, trampling of the Constitution and abnormal fascination with childish superlatives, tyrannical figures and Soviet-era style military parades, there’s much to be concerned about.
    Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 11 May 2025
  • The Wolves rose up and defeated the tyrannical FEDRA, forcing them to abandon the quarantine zone.
    Dani Di Placido, Forbes.com, 28 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Overbearing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overbearing. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.

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