overbear
Americanverb (used with object)
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to bear over or down by weight or force.
With his superior strength he easily overbore his opponent in the fight.
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to overcome or overwhelm.
A spirited defense had overborne the enemy attack.
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to prevail over or overrule (wishes, objections, etc.).
She overbore all objections to the new plan.
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to treat in a domineering way; dominate.
to overbear one's children with threats of violence.
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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
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(tr) to dominate or overcome
to overbear objections
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(tr) to press or bear down with weight or physical force
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to produce or bear (fruit, progeny, etc) excessively
Other Word Forms
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.
See Examples For:
I know that it is easy to overbear a person’s mind if you continuously barrage them with questions and accuse them.
From New York Times ● Nov. 25, 2011
But just because Karl Malden won't be brought to overbear on this doesn't mean Amex considers it unimportant.
From Time Magazine Archive
When man is unprejudiced, and his passions subject to reason, it is well he should define the limits of power, so that the waves driven by the storm of passion shall not overbear the shore.
From The Works of Robert G. Ingersoll, Vol. 11 (of 12) Dresden Edition?Miscellany by Robert Green Ingersoll
He looked soldierly; but the soldier in him did not really very much overbear the demeanour of the quiet, ordinary gentleman.
From The Dictator by Justin McCarthy
The tendency of Elvira to crack and overbear influenced the originator of that variety, Jacob Rommel, Morrison, Missouri, to try for a grape without these faults, and the result was Etta from seed of Elvira.
From Manual of American Grape-Growing by U. P. Hedrick
Jumping between past and present, the film tells the story of Alex Serian, a cellist who moves to Los Angeles to care for his dying mother and escape an overbearing ex played by Olivia Wilde.
From Barron's ● Oct. 4, 2026
They might politely ask trespassers if they are lost, although locals all seem to have stories about overbearing keyholders who kicked people off the beach.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 3, 2026
News coverage and dinner-party conversation often focus on the micromanaging or overbearing boss.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 31, 2026
It said the installation harmed a neighbouring property because of its "overbearing scale, oppressive sense of enclosure and stark industrial appearance".
From BBC ● Jul. 9, 2026
She wanted to explain how right everything felt in a place where she was surrounded by mischievous children, overbearing cousins, and doddering elders who were all a part of her.
From "Copper Sun" by Sharon M. Draper
So convinced was Colonel Antony of the righteousness of Sher Singh's cause that for once he overbore the opposition of his Durbar.
From The Path to Honour by Sydney C. Grier
And then the nearness of the roadlights and the sense of his own extreme helplessness overbore his instinct, and kicking off his shoes, he sped noiselessly over grassy slopes.
From "Persons Unknown" by Virginia Tracy
He had thundered against the King and the King's trusted Ministers, the Walpoles and the Carterets, with a voice that overbore all others, and which apparently could not be silenced.
From Lord Chatham His Early Life and Connections by Archibald Phillip Primrose Rosebery
But his eagerness overbore everything; and took Titmouse quite by storm.
From Ten Thousand a-Year. Volume 1. by Samuel Warren
This so tickled Long Jack that he overbore Tom Platt, and the two went out together.
From Captains Courageous by Rudyard Kipling
Watts was "obsessed" with Sansom, but it was not a case of "one person's will being overborne by another", the judge added.
From BBC ● Jan. 30, 2025
Charles Cherry is the over-bearing husband who is finally overborne.
From Time Magazine Archive
They were not overborne by the implications of Communist military power.
From Time Magazine Archive
But Rains was all but overborne by the wooden acting of Hollywood Starlet Marisa Pavan.
From Time Magazine Archive
He would never be overborne in any essential thing by the lighter-minded Hurley.
From The Heart of Canyon Pass by Thomas K. Holmes
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