Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

overbearing

/ˈoʊvɚbˈɛɹɪŋ/

Word Rarity Rare

Frequency: Zipf frequency 2.91 in modern English

Syllables: over-bear-ing
IPA: /ˈoʊvɚbˈɛɹɪŋ/

17

Scrabble Score

11

Letters

4

Syllables

9

Unique Chars

Meaning

verb

present participle and gerund of overbear

adj

Overly bossy, domineering, arrogant, forceful, intense, or annoying.

Example Sentences

"In the same year, 1844, negotiations were begun to strengthen the North Union's position by an amalgamation with the Liverpool & Manchester and Grand Junction companies, but at the eleventh hour the shareholders took exception to the rather overbearing ways of the Grand Junction, and backed out."

Etymology

From overbear (“to bear down (on)”) + -ing.

Inflected Forms

more overbearing (comparative) most overbearing (superlative)

Derived Forms

overbearingly overbearingness

Synonyms

demanding dictatorial dominant haughty high-handed authoritarian disdainful imperious lordly prideful sniffy supercilious

Rhymes With

wearing sharing preparing bearing caring staring comparing declaring tearing daring pairing airing

Questions

How do you pronounce overbearing?: The recorded pronunciation is /ˈoʊvɚbˈɛɹɪŋ/.
What does overbearing mean?: present participle and gerund of overbear
Where does overbearing come from?: From overbear (“to bear down (on)”) + -ing.

How to pronounce overbearing

Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “overbearing”.
Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling (/ˈoʊvɚbˈɛɹɪŋ/) so you know which sounds to aim for.
Play the audio — Click Play to hear reference audio for “overbearing”.
Repeat and practice — Say “overbearing” aloud, matching stress and vowels until it feels natural.