overbearing

[oh-ver-bair-ing]

adjective

1. domineering; dictatorial; haughtily or rudely arrogant.

2. of overwhelming or critical importance.

overbearing

/ ˌəʊvəˈbɛərɪŋ /

adjective

1. domineering or dictatorial in manner or action

2. of particular or overriding importance or significance

Other Word Forms

• overbearingly adverb
• overbearingness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of overbearing¹

First recorded in 1590–1600; overbear + -ing ²

Example Sentences

In 2020 American Compass defended organized labor as a means for combating big government, writing: “We prefer the private ordering of bargains between workers and management to overbearing dictates from Washington.”

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Even trying her best to empathize, she’s overbearing.

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In the cocktail of their marriage, he adds the bitterness and she adds the spice, qualities that can be either overbearing or harmonious.

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He told jurors he could sometimes be "overbearing", but claimed that was just his "direct Yorkshire style".

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"Whatever your view of the hate speech vs freedom of speech issues, an overbearing government minister doesn't help anyone," he said.

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Related Words

• autocratic 
• bossy 
• cocky 
• dictatorial 
• high-handed 
• imperious 
• oppressive 
• tyrannical