overbears

Overbear is a transitive verb meaning to overwhelm or dominate someone through force, authority, or overpowering influence. It can refer to coercive actions that suppress objections or autonomy, and less commonly to physically press down on someone or something. In modern usage, the sense is largely figurative, as in a manager who overbears subordinates or a regime that overbears dissent. The related adjective is overbearing, used to describe a person or behavior that is domineering or intrusive.

Etymology and history: the word is formed from the prefix over- added to bear (in the sense of carry or bear up) and has its roots in Old and Middle English, evolving toward the modern sense of overpowering authority in early modern English. The form overbear appears in literary and legal contexts before becoming more common in everyday usage.

Grammar and forms: overbear is a transitive verb. The third-person singular present tense is overbears. The simple past tense is overbore, and the past participle is overborne. The present participle, used as a gerund or adjective, is overbearing, which also serves as a descriptive adjective: an overbearing manner.

Usage notes: overbear carries a negative connotation, implying an abuse of power, coercion, or an attempt to silence opposition. It is more common in formal, literary, or analytical writing than in everyday speech, where alternatives like dominate, overwhelm, or suppress may be used.

See also: dominate, oppress, overpower, tyrannize, intimidate.