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
I never, with important air, In conversation overbear.
From Life and Literature Over two thousand extracts from ancient and modern writers, and classified in alphabetical order by John Purver Richardson
“Then you did overbear us,” said the ruffian Cobb; “it won’t do to trust him.”
From My First Voyage to Southern Seas by Alfred Pearse
Yet, do not let your anger overbear discretion.
From The Advocate by Charles Heavysege
"The current system is not fit for purpose. It is an overbearing mess and urgently needs to be reviewed," he said.
From BBC ● Oct. 9, 2026
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
François-Pierre Couture’s scenic design is mesmerizing without ever being overbearing.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 11, 2026
Oftentimes these seemingly overbearing monitoring has nothing to do with how much someone trusts us.
From MarketWatch ● Sep. 1, 2026
Even at the best of times, Tefu was a difficult fellow: dyspeptic, argumentative, overbearing.
From "Long Walk to Freedom" by Nelson Mandela
He understood better than any man how to deal with the king, and overbore not only the king's own prejudices but the machinations of the Duke of Cumberland with masterly resolution.
From The Political History of England - Vol XI From Addington's Administration to the close of William IV.'s Reign (1801-1837) by George C. (George Charles) Brodrick
There was a bold rough energy, a daring go-ahead spirit, that overbore him wherever he went.
From One Of Them by Charles James Lever
She stood for a trifle, hesitant, peering into the hallway now dark with evening shadow; then curiosity overbore her reluctance.
From The Bandbox by Louis Joseph Vance
He sparkled with irresistible enthusiasm, he overbore opposition.
From Stepsons of Light by Eugene Manlove Rhodes
His sense of public duty, however, overbore all personal considerations, and he set sail on the 16th of March, 1775, and died off Gloucester, Massachusetts, on the 26th of April.
From The Loyalists of Massachusetts And the Other Side of the American Revolution by James H. Stark
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
But Rains was all but overborne by the wooden acting of Hollywood Starlet Marisa Pavan.
From Time Magazine Archive
The Red Hat sect, which allows its lamas to marry, was gradually overborne by the celibate Yellow Hat sect.
From Time Magazine Archive
Charles Cherry is the over-bearing husband who is finally overborne.
From Time Magazine Archive
Harold departs and regains England, and there, on the king's death, overborne by circumstances, but with much tribulation of mind, violates his oath, and himself takes possession of the throne.
From Views and Reviews by Henry James
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