overbearing

/ˌəʊvəˈbeərɪŋ/ (bre, ipa) · /ˌəʊvərˈberɪŋ/ (ame, ipa) · /ˌō-vər-ˈber-iŋ/ (ame, mw)

overbearing — adjective

  • overbearingpositive
  • more overbearingcomparative
  • most overbearingsuperlative

1. always acting like you should be in charge and brushing aside what other people

1.形容詞C2
釋義

always acting like you should be in charge and brushing aside what other people want or say.

例句

Bao's overbearing voice ended the meeting before anyone could object.

collocation: overbearing voice

At dinner, Talia seemed overbearing, choosing everyone's order without asking.

pattern: seem overbearing + gerund

同義詞
  • domineering

    stresses a habit of ordering people around and taking control

  • bossy

    more everyday and often lighter in tone, especially for children

  • dictatorial

    stronger and harsher, with a command-and-obey feeling

  • controlling

    broader; may describe quietly managing another person's choices over time

反義詞
  • considerate

    shows care for what other people need or feel

  • respectful

    treats other people's opinions and choices properly

  • accommodating

    willing to adjust instead of forcing your own way

文法句型

be/seem/sound + overbearing

overbearing + noun (tone, manner, attitude)

overbearing toward/with + someone

用法筆記

Often describes a person's tone, manner, or behaviour rather than one isolated decision. Unlike 'assertive', it suggests that other people feel pushed aside, silenced, or treated as less important.

常見錯誤

Our guide was overbearing because she spoke clearly and kept us on schedule.
Our guide was authoritative because she spoke clearly and kept us on schedule.
💡'overbearing' criticizes someone for pushing people around, not for being organized or confident.
The teacher was overbearing because she gave us extra homework.
The teacher was demanding because she gave us extra homework.
💡'overbearing' is about the way someone dominates people, not simply about setting hard expectations.