overbear
Americanverb (used with object)
-
to bear over or down by weight or force.
With his superior strength he easily overbore his opponent in the fight.
-
to overcome or overwhelm.
A spirited defense had overborne the enemy attack.
-
to prevail over or overrule (wishes, objections, etc.).
She overbore all objections to the new plan.
-
to treat in a domineering way; dominate.
to overbear one's children with threats of violence.
-
Nautical. (of a sailing ship) to have the advantage of (another sailing ship) because of an ability to carry more canvas safely.
verb (used without object)
verb
-
(tr) to dominate or overcome
to overbear objections
-
(tr) to press or bear down with weight or physical force
-
to produce or bear (fruit, progeny, etc) excessively
Other Word Forms
- overbearer noun
Etymology
Origin of overbear
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Bruccoleri adds that the biggest journey her character goes on in the show is trying to find a way to remove herself emotionally from her overbearing mother.
From BBC
Everyone who met him noticed his thick football neck and his great huge head and his overbearing manner, which was interpreted as both admirably direct and a mask.
From Literature
She claims she tried to end the relationship after a few months when Alvarado turned overbearing and possessive.
From Los Angeles Times
But their marriage sours and her in-laws turn overbearing.
From Los Angeles Times
"I felt I was at sports day with the kids. Like a loving, overbearing mother, I was putting him off," Garraway noted to the cameras.
From BBC
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
