Synonyms of overbearing

overbearing 1 of 2

adjective

ˌō-vər-ˈber-iŋ 

1

as in dominant

coming before all others in importance

the overbearing problem in our nation's schools

Synonyms & Similar Words

• dominant
• main
• predominant
• greatest
• highest
• primary
• foremost
• big
• leading
• first
• supreme
• central
• principal
• chief
• overriding
• key
• paramount
• sovereign
• cardinal
• great
• prior
• primal
• overmastering
• master
• capital
• number one
• premier
• No. 1
• distinguished
• outstanding
• top
• grand
• sovran
• arch
• superior
• eminent
• illustrious
• preeminent
• important
• influential
• senior
• major
• signal
• notable
• stellar
• numero uno
• prestigious
• noteworthy
• mighty
• noble
• high-level
• incomparable
• unparalleled
• unequalled
• star
• famous
• significant
• momentous
• famed
• renowned
• unequaled
• unsurpassed
• matchless
• celebrated

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• least
• last
• minor
• slight
• unimportant
• insignificant
• negligible
• trivial
• subordinate
• secondary
• inferior
• inconsequential
• trifling
• inconsiderable
• collateral
• subsidiary

2

as in authoritarian

fond of ordering people around

the doctor's overbearing attitude is resented by nurses and patients alike

Synonyms & Similar Words

• authoritarian
• domineering
• arrogant
• tyrannical
• bossy
• aggressive
• autocratic
• tyrannic
• authoritative
• despotic
• dictatorial
• commanding
• proud
• imperious
• tyrannous
• controlling
• masterful
• peremptory
• autocratical
• stern
• haughty
• supercilious
• pretentious
• important
• uppity
• regimental
• high-and-mighty
• superior
• imperial
• overweening
• disdainful
• presumptuous
• arbitrary
• assumptive
• assertive
• huffy
• narcissistic
• directorial
• high-hat
• pompous
• lordly
• magisterial
• omnipotent
• conceited
• high-handed
• hifalutin
• uppish
• all-powerful
• dictating
• highfalutin
• lofty
• vain
• toploftical
• toplofty
• self-asserting
• imperative
• fastuous
• almighty
• presuming
• self-assertive
• firm

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• modest
• humble
• meek
• unassuming
• obedient
• docile
• amenable
• passive
• tractable
• indecisive
• submissive
• compliant
• yielding
• irresolute
• acquiescent
• resigned

overbearing

2 of 2

verb

present participle of overbear

as in defeating

to achieve a victory over

that year the football team simply overbore opponent after opponent with steamroller ruthlessness

Synonyms & Similar Words

• defeating
• overcoming
• mastering
• taking
• beating
• getting
• conquering
• dispatching
• stopping
• subduing
• surmounting
• overmatching
• prevailing (over)
• winning (against)
• worsting
• licking
• besting
• trimming
• upending
• getting the better of
• triumphing (over)
• succeeding
• overwhelming
• getting around
• doing down
• skunking
• crushing
• finishing
• sweeping
• overpowering
• upsetting
• burying
• surpassing
• exceeding
• knocking for a loop
• slaughtering
• scoring
• excelling
• whipping
• annihilating
• flattening
• edging (out)
• blowing out
• flourishing
• bombing
• clobbering
• capping
• routing
• smoking
• subjugating
• topping
• nosing out
• thrashing
• blowing away
• trouncing
• overthrowing
• walloping
• vanquishing
• creaming
• waxing
• transcending
• drubbing
• outshining
• shellacking
• pipping
• breaking
• eclipsing
• skinning
• outdoing
• outstripping
• unseating
• knocking over
• outdistancing
• snowing under
• knocking off
• overtopping
• bettering
• outfighting
• acing (out)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• losing (to)
• falling
• going down
• failing
• giving up
• collapsing
• folding
• going under
• flopping
• washing out
• flunking

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective overbearing differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of overbearing are arrogant, disdainful, haughty, insolent, lordly, proud, and supercilious. While all these words mean "showing scorn for inferiors," overbearing suggests a tyrannical manner or an intolerable insolence.

an overbearing supervisor

In what contexts can arrogant take the place of overbearing?

The meanings of arrogant and overbearing largely overlap; however, arrogant implies a claiming for oneself of more consideration or importance than is warranted.

a conceited and arrogant executive

When would disdainful be a good substitute for overbearing?

In some situations, the words disdainful and overbearing are roughly equivalent. However, disdainful suggests a more active and openly scornful superciliousness.

disdainful of their social inferiors

When can haughty be used instead of overbearing?

While the synonyms haughty and overbearing are close in meaning, haughty suggests a consciousness of superior birth or position.

a haughty aristocrat

When could insolent be used to replace overbearing?

While in some cases nearly identical to overbearing, insolent implies contemptuous haughtiness.

ignored by an insolent waiter

When is lordly a more appropriate choice than overbearing?

Although the words lordly and overbearing have much in common, lordly implies pomposity or an arrogant display of power.

a lordly condescension

When is it sensible to use proud instead of overbearing?

The words proud and overbearing can be used in similar contexts, but proud may suggest an assumed superiority or loftiness.

too proud to take charity

Where would supercilious be a reasonable alternative to overbearing?

The words supercilious and overbearing are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, supercilious implies a cool, patronizing haughtiness.

an aloof and supercilious manner

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of overbearing

Adjective

Beginning a decade ago, efforts to isolate Mr. Lukashenko gave way for a time to engagement, amid signs that Belarus wanted to avoid becoming too dependent on Moscow, the country’s increasingly overbearing neighbor. —Tomas Dapkus, New York Times, 15 Feb. 2025

These earphones have superb clarity that is underscored with deliciously warm bass without booming or sounding overbearing. —Mark Sparrow, Forbes, 15 Dec. 2024

The foyer is often a small space, so a hall tree can be overbearing. —Hallie Milstein, Southern Living, 2 Mar. 2025

An overly macho grip where the person squeezes too tightly gives the impression of being overbearing or insensitive. —Carol Kinsey Goman, Forbes, 22 Feb. 2025