overbear

[oh-ver-bair]

verb (used with object)

overbore, overborne, overbearing. 

1. to bear over or down by weight or force.

   With his superior strength he easily overbore his opponent in the fight.

2. to overcome or overwhelm.

   A spirited defense had overborne the enemy attack.

3. to prevail over or overrule (wishes, objections, etc.).

   She overbore all objections to the new plan.

4. to treat in a domineering way; dominate.

   to overbear one's children with threats of violence.

5. 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)

overbore, overborne, overbearing. 

1. to produce fruit or progeny so abundantly as to impair the health.

overbear

/ ˌəʊvəˈbɛə /

verb

1. (tr) to dominate or overcome

   to overbear objections

2. (tr) to press or bear down with weight or physical force

3. to produce or bear (fruit, progeny, etc) excessively

Other Word Forms

• overbearer noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of overbear¹

First recorded in 1525–35; over- + bear ¹

Example Sentences

Many blame Delhi for supporting an increasingly authoritarian Hasina in her final years, and see India as an overbearing neighbour.

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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.

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She claims she tried to end the relationship after a few months when Alvarado turned overbearing and possessive.

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But their marriage sours and her in-laws turn overbearing.

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"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.

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Related Words

• bludgeon 
• browbeat 
• coerce 
• harass 
• hector 
• oppress 
• persecute 
• terrorize 
• threaten 
• torment 
• torture