Definitions

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.

  • adjective Domineering in manner; arrogant: synonym: dictatorial.
  • adjective Overwhelming in power or significance; predominant.

from The Century Dictionary.

  • Bearing down; repressing; overwhelming.
  • Haughty and dictatorial; disposed or tending to repress or subdue in an imperious or insolent manner: as, an overbearing disposition or manner.
  • Synonyms Domineering, lordly, arrogant.

from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English.

  • adjective Overpowering; subduing; repressing.
  • adjective Aggressively haughty; arrogant; domineering; tyrannical; dictatorial; insolent.

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • adjective Overly bossy, domineering, or arrogant.

from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.

  • adjective expecting unquestioning obedience
  • adjective having or showing arrogant superiority to and disdain of those one views as unworthy

Etymologies

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Examples

  • Perry, who caused a stir in 2009 when he openly pondered his state's secession from the United States, was sharply critical of what he called an overbearing federal government.

    Reuters: Press Release 2011

  • Perry, who caused a stir in 2009 when he openly pondered his state's secession from the United States, was sharply critical of what he called an overbearing federal government.

    Reuters: Top News 2011

  • She was also known as the overbearing mother Ida Morgenstern on the 1970s comedy series Rhoda, Nancy Walker was an established stage performer for decades before making it in television.

    Five People Born on May 10 | myFiveBest 2010

  • However, call her overbearing and annoying, her “Ghetto” origins or lack thereof dont appear to have any bearing.

    Jeff Probst blogs 'Survivor: Samoa': episode 3 | EW.com 2009

  • "I've learned over the years to temper that emotion, that inclination to be what some people would call overbearing," Ferris said this week.

    The Roanoke Times: Home page 2010

  • "I've learned over the years to temper that emotion, that inclination to be what some people would call overbearing," Ferris said this week.

    The Roanoke Times: Home page 2010

  • "I've learned over the years to temper that emotion, that inclination to be what some people would call overbearing," Ferris said this week.

    The Roanoke Times: Home page 2010

  • At a pre-trial hearing for Khadr last month, Hartmann was described as overbearing and tactless and alleged to have overstepped his role as legal adviser to become the "de facto chief prosecutor."

    CommonDreams.org Headlines 2008

  • The fact is that if your parents root for a certain team and "encourage" their children to root for that team -- and that is either sentimentally awesome or the worst kind of overbearing -- chances are the kid is going to turn out to be a fan of that team.

    Dan Shanoff: Introducing My Son to MLB, Wrigley Field and His Fan DNA 2010

  • The fact is that if your parents root for a certain team and "encourage" their children to root for that team -- and that is either sentimentally awesome or the worst kind of overbearing -- chances are the kid is going to turn out to be a fan of that team.

    Dan Shanoff: Introducing My Son to MLB, Wrigley Field and His Fan DNA 2010

Comments

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  • Oh, the monster overbearing!

    Don't go near him, he is swearing!

    -- Cousin Hebe in H.M.S. Pinafore, by W.S. Gilbert

    August 20, 2008