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
Many varieties are prone to overbear, and trees of large size have produced enormous crops of fruit, whereas young trees frequently break down under the weight of their crop.
From Fruits of Queensland by Benson, Albert H.
Refer him to me; say the point is too difficult for you; that while your feelings for your niece might overbear all other considerations, those very feelings might be the sources of error to you.
From A Rent In A Cloud by Lever, Charles James
The novice, however, is likely to permit his vines to overbear with the result that the crop is cast, or the berries rattle, or the fruit turns sour before ripening.
From Manual of American Grape-Growing by Hedrick, U. P.
Don’t bring up any overbearing behavior like, “You message me too much,” as they will probably get defensive.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 21, 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
Before Rowan knows it, Mag has moved in and made herself comfortable, but already seems a bit overbearing, organizing girls’ nights and declaring herself “Mag the hag.”
From Salon ● Apr. 5, 2026
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
Annabeth had had nothing but trouble from that overbearing goddess, and she’d never forgive Hera for taking Percy away, even if it was for a noble cause.
From "The Mark of Athena" by Rick Riordan
This sensitive feeling, preying upon one naturally susceptible, certainly tended little to his recovery, and even at times so overbore every other sentiment, that he regretted he had ever come abroad.
From A Rent In A Cloud by Lever, Charles James
She stood for a trifle, hesitant, peering into the hallway now dark with evening shadow; then curiosity overbore her reluctance.
From The Bandbox by Vance, Louis Joseph
Nevertheless, in the halting words of the woman who had suffered, if only from misapprehension upon so grave a point, there was a rude eloquence that overbore the lady's incredulity.
From The Convert by Robins, Elizabeth
My assurance of success was so strong that it overbore every other consideration.
From The Atlantic Monthly, Volume 16, No. 93, July, 1865 by Various
He sighed deeply and shook himself and tried to rally, but though a part of him insisted that he gather his faculties and force them to alertness, another tired, lethargic self overbore the warning.
From I Conquered by Titus, Harold
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
They were not overborne by the implications of Communist military power.
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 James, Henry
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.
