How to Use overbear in a Sentence

overbear

verb
  • Here, the sharp red isn't overbearing thanks to the softest flush cheeks and almost naked eyes.
    — Hannah Morrill, Allure, 29 Jan. 2018
  • The smoke kiss is evident, but not overbearing, providing a fun twist.
    — Chuck Blount, San Antonio Express-News, 9 Feb. 2018
  • And Tess is now a podcast host and overbearing grandmother.
    — Jay Stahl, USA Today, 9 Aug. 2025
  • Most of his dishes feature assertive but not overbearing flavors.
    — Michael Bauer, San Francisco Chronicle, 16 Feb. 2018
  • Stevie for her shawls, chiffon, fringe, and gold crescent chains; my mom for her bright bold pantsuits and overbearing clip-on earrings of yore.
    — Jessica Militare, Glamour, 30 Aug. 2018
  • The tip is to be positive but not overbearing with the throttle and brakes, and firm yet flexible with the steering.
    — Larry Griffin, Car and Driver, 22 May 2020
  • Assuming that all Jews love gefilte fish, play klezmer music, and suffer overbearing mothers?
    — Abigail Shrier, WSJ, 12 Feb. 2019
  • Those volunteers are good at striking a balance of being available for folks who need them but are not overbearing, Hahn said.
    — Marc Bona, cleveland.com, 28 Aug. 2019
  • Paired with white fixtures and minimal accessories, the look is polished, not overbearing.
    — Caitlin Sole, Better Homes & Gardens, 27 Mar. 2023
  • The narrative often is overbearing with bravado and machismo.
    — Don Oldenburg, USA TODAY, 4 Apr. 2018
  • Saddled with much of the dramatic heavy lifting, the score is overbearing partly out of necessity.
    — Walden Green, Pitchfork, 22 Jan. 2026
  • Any suggestions for how to support her from a distance without being intruding or overbearing?
    — Carolyn Hax, idahostatesman, 5 Feb. 2018
  • The service The service is fantastic but never overbearing.
    — Todd Plummer, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Jan. 2026
  • His commentary during challenges has gone from nonexistent to essential to overbearing.
    — Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 28 May 2026
  • Compared to other kingdoms in Europe, which were ruled by overbearing monarchs and aristocrats, the British monarchy was not that bad.
    — Eliga Gould, The Conversation, 3 Sep. 2019
  • Stritch was labeled unreliable for being late and forgetting lines, and could be arrogant, self-centered and overbearing with colleagues.
    — Brooke Lefferts, chicagotribune.com, 21 Oct. 2019
  • At ease everywhere from flitting free jazz to looser, funkier textures, Allen abides, insistent but never overbearing on a session well worth the wait.
    — Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 2 Dec. 2025
  • It's infused with rose petal, bergamot peel, and chamomile bud—the perfect combination to perk up your skin and mood without being overbearing on your travel companion (or housemate).
    — Jane Sung, Condé Nast Traveler, 19 May 2020
  • Aromas of truffles and autumn leaves, flavors of dark cherries and plums — all pinot noir signatures — are held together by noticeable, though not overbearing, acidity.
    — Dave McIntyre, Washington Post, 25 Oct. 2019
  • But experts say that in epidemics, overbearing measures can backfire, scaring infected people into hiding and making the outbreak harder to control.
    — Paul Mozur, New York Times, 10 Mar. 2020
  • People throw around the term loosely to describe those who are self-absorbed, entitled and manipulative – from overbearing parents to destructive exes.
    — Nicole Fallert, USA TODAY, 24 Mar. 2023
  • Freed from overbearing parents, the new entities become more efficient at allocating capital.
    — The Economist, 27 June 2018
  • Following the shooting, cryptic posts were unearthed from Ortiz's social media channels and provided an eye-opening look at overbearing celebrity fans.
    — Tracy Wright, FOXNews.com, 15 Mar. 2026
  • Content-forward, but not overbearing Companies that make streaming dongles and smart TVs have long pushed the idea of content-forward user interfaces.
    — Janko Roettgers, The Verge, 28 May 2026
  • Adaptive cruise assist, lane guidance, traffic sign recognition, top-view camera system, and exit warning all function as quiet co-pilots rather than overbearing supervisors.
    — Chris Jackson, Denver Post, 24 Apr. 2026
  • The character, as Constance mentioned earlier in the season, almost plays like a parody of overbearing male feminism that silences women’s voices in its rush to speak on their behalf.
    — Emily Todd Vanderwerff, Vox, 24 July 2019
  • On my visit, the service was overbearing without being particularly sympathetic; the food familiar yet strangely discordant.
    — Chris Ying, San Francisco Chronicle, 9 Feb. 2018
  • Even independent dramatic features made without overbearing producers are often directed no more originally than ones made for TV.
    — Justin Chang, New Yorker, 5 Dec. 2025
  • Where most conversations are half-silent, important figures in Rimbaud’s life are embodied by musical instruments, ranging from overbearing tubas to melodic strings, depending on who’s speaking and their place in the story.
    — Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 2 June 2026
  • Getty Images Jerry Jones continues to play the role of overbearing hard-liner with Cowboys linebacker Micah Parsons.
    — Steve Silverman, Forbes.com, 27 Aug. 2025

Some of these examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'overbear.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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