Dictionary
overbearing
adjective
: often trying to control the behavior of other people in an annoying or unwanted way
Full Definition of OVERBEARING
1
a : tending to overwhelm : overpowering b : decisively important : dominant
2
: harshly and haughtily arrogant
— over·bear·ing·ly \-iŋ-lē\ adverb
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First Known Use of OVERBEARING
1614
Related to OVERBEARING
- Synonyms
- arch, big, capital, cardinal, central, chief, dominant, first, grand, great, greatest, highest, key, leading, main, master, number one (also No. 1), numero uno, foremost, overmastering, overriding, paramount, predominant, preeminent, premier, primal, primary, principal, prior, sovereign (also sovran), supreme
Synonym Discussion of OVERBEARING
proud, arrogant, haughty, lordly, insolent, overbearing, supercilious, disdainful mean showing scorn for inferiors. proud may suggest an assumed superiority or loftiness <too proud to take charity>. arrogant implies a claiming for oneself of more consideration or importance than is warranted <a conceited and arrogant executive>. haughty suggests a consciousness of superior birth or position <a haughty aristocrat>. lordly implies pomposity or an arrogant display of power <a lordly condescension>. insolent implies contemptuous haughtiness <ignored by an insolent waiter>. overbearing suggests a tyrannical manner or an intolerable insolence <an overbearing supervisor>. supercilious implies a cool, patronizing haughtiness <an aloof and supercilious manner>. disdainful suggests a more active and openly scornful superciliousness <disdainful of their social inferiors>.
Rhymes with OVERBEARING
OVERBEARINGLY Defined for Kids
overbearing
adjective over·bear·ing \ˌō-vər-ˈber-iŋ\
Definition of OVERBEARING for Kids
: acting in a proud or bossy way toward other people
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