1
as in dominant
coming before all others in importance
the overbearing problem in our nation's schools
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
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
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
Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 11 Dec. 2025
In the backdrop, Hayat is struggling to break free of her overbearing aunts.
—Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 7 Dec. 2025
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
Adjective
Edgerton captures the essence of sorrow like lightning bugs in a jar; his sadness isn’t a dark, overbearing thing, but a source of gentle, mournful light.
—Verb
Even independent dramatic features made without overbearing producers are often directed no more originally than ones made for TV.
—Recent Examples of Synonyms for overbearing
Adjective
-
That simple change would introduce real competition, allowing merchants to choose lower-cost options and forcing the dominant players to compete on price and service--just like any other market.—
-
Eighty years later, Adolph’s conclusions about the impossibility of adapting to dehydration are still the dominant view.—
Adjective
-
That premonition rings true when his parents (Tara Buckman, Geoff Hansen) are slaughtered by a carjacker dressed as Old Saint Nick himself (Charles Dierkop) just hours later, condemning the toddler into further moral compass trauma at an orphanage run by a domineering Mother Superior nun from Hell.—
-
Orgon’s only ally is his domineering parade float of a mother, Madame Pernelle (the Bianca del Rio), who sails onto the stage in high dudgeon at the top of the play.—
Verb
-
This came on the heels of another fleeting feel-good moment for the Rangers (20-18-6), who opened the new year by defeating the two-time defending champion Florida Panthers in Friday’s Winter Classic.—
-
Zinke faced close races during his second House tenure however, winning his seat in the 2022 midterms by around three points before defeating the same opponent during the 2024 presidential election by more than seven points.—
Adjective
-
And one of its main ingredients was a hair product – Afro Sheen.—
-
Then the Orion capsule will fire up its main thruster and shoot off towards the Moon on its 240,000-mile, four-day journey.—
Adjective
-
Seizures of National Park protected land, destruction of our White House, massive banners of his photo draped on the Department of Labor and USDA buildings — please tell me how Trump’s authoritarian actions are any different from Vladimir Putin or Saddam Hussein?—
-
Yet the president told The New York Times on Wednesday that US oversight of Venezuela could last for years, following its toppling of the country’s authoritarian leader, Nicolás Maduro.—
Verb
-
DiMarco’s participation became a highlight of the event, with the student asking thoughtful questions about overcoming imposter syndrome and handling rejection.—
-
And that religion, like music, can carry the sound of struggle – but also the hope of one day overcoming the injustices and inequalities of everyday life.—
Adjective
-
This version of Ryan was arrogant, unable to conceal pride in his accomplishment.—
-
So long as that situation continues, the 43-year-old’s allegedly arrogant and stand-offish treatment of his players will not worry the club hierarchy too much.—
Verb
-
Advocacy isn’t about mastering policy jargon or tracking every bill.—
-
But there can also be peace in mastering it.—
Cite this Entry
“Overbearing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overbearing. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share