overbearing

C1 Topic:Describing Qualities

US /ˌoʊvɚˈberɪŋ/ UK /ˌəʊvəˈbeərɪŋ/ See IPA manual

Freq #25418

Meanings

1

adj
trying to control other people in an arrogant, forceful, and unpleasant way; domineering

The director's overbearing manner discouraged anyone from questioning his decisions.
2

adj
so strong, intense, or dominant that it overwhelms or intrudes

The perfume became overbearing in the small, crowded room.

Thesaurus

Synonyms

1 adj · trying to control other... domineering dictatorial imperioushigh-handedauthoritarian bossy haughty

2 adj · so strong, intense, or... overpowering overwhelming dominant oppressive excessive

Opposites

considerate deferential accommodating unassuming restrained unobtrusive

Word family

Forms overbearingness

Derived forms overbearinglyoverbearingness

Related forms overbear domineer overpower

Appears in

Phrases (1)

See all

overbearing behavior
Conduct that tries to dominate others and expects unquestioning obedience.

Adjective + noun

Etymology

Formed from overbear ('to overwhelm or dominate') + -ing. The participial adjective became lexicalized, with the common character sense extending the image of bearing down on someone to imposing one's will arrogantly.

Topics

Describing Qualities Word Formation & Derivatives

External links

# overbearing

**Type:** Word
**Level:** C1
**Part of speech:** adj
**IPA (US):** /ˌoʊvɚˈberɪŋ/
**IPA (UK):** /ˌəʊvəˈbeərɪŋ/
**Frequency rank:** 25418

## Meanings
1. trying to control other people in an arrogant, forceful, and unpleasant way; domineering
2. so strong, intense, or dominant that it overwhelms or intrudes

## Examples
- The director's overbearing manner discouraged anyone from questioning his decisions.
- The perfume became overbearing in the small, crowded room.

## Synonyms
- domineering
- dictatorial
- imperious
- high-handed
- authoritarian
- bossy
- haughty
- overpowering
- overwhelming
- dominant

## Antonyms
- considerate
- deferential
- accommodating
- unassuming
- restrained
- unobtrusive

## Derived Forms
- overbearingly
- overbearingness

## Related Forms
- overbear
- domineer
- overpower

## Etymology
Formed from overbear ('to overwhelm or dominate') + -ing. The participial adjective became lexicalized, with the common character sense extending the image of bearing down on someone to imposing one's will arrogantly.

## Topics
- Describing Qualities
- Word Formation & Derivatives

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