overbearing
Americanadjective
-
domineering; dictatorial; haughtily or rudely arrogant.
-
of overwhelming or critical importance.
adjective
-
domineering or dictatorial in manner or action
-
of particular or overriding importance or significance
Other Word Forms
- overbearingly adverb
- overbearingness noun
Etymology
Origin of overbearing
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.
The protagonist is named Tree Tremont, a phenomenal multiracial golfer with an overbearing black father, an attractive wife, two young children and a squeaky-clean public image.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 31, 2026
Compared to the overbearing shelter system, which broke up friends, mandated sobriety, lacked privacy, prohibited pets, and offered insufficient storage, Gil wanted to have a light touch.
From Slate • Mar. 25, 2026
Other concerns include covenants in Paramount’s offer that Warner said are overbearing and would hurt its ability to operate the company prior to a deal closing.
From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 17, 2026
They teased one another, complained about overbearing mothers-in-law and celebrated milestones, like a daughter’s quinceañera.
From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 30, 2025
I liked him immensely, his sullenness, his corpselike color, except when he was lodged in a good mood, when he became overbearing and megalomaniacal.
From "Native Speaker" by Chang-rae Lee
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.
