Library / English Dictionary

OVERBEAR

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

Irregular inflected forms: overbore    , overborne   

 I. (verb) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

Contract the abdominal muscles during childbirth to ease delivery

Synonyms:

bear down; overbear

Classified under:

Verbs of touching, hitting, tying, digging

Hypernyms (to "overbear" is one way to...):

compact; compress; constrict; contract; press; squeeze (squeeze or press together)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s

Sense 2

Meaning:

Bear too much

Classified under:

Verbs of sewing, baking, painting, performing

Hypernyms (to "overbear" is one way to...):

bear; turn out (bring forth)

Sentence frame:

Something ----s something

Sense 3

Meaning:

Overcome

Example:

overbear criticism, protest, or arguments

Classified under:

Verbs of being, having, spatial relations

Hypernyms (to "overbear" is one way to...):

dominate (be in control)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s something
Somebody ----s somebody

Credits

 Context examples: 

Sam, loud and overbearing as he was, she rather regretted when he went, for he was clever and intelligent, and glad to be employed in any errand in the town; and though spurning the remonstrances of Susan, given as they were, though very reasonable in themselves, with ill-timed and powerless warmth, was beginning to be influenced by Fanny's services and gentle persuasions; and she found that the best of the three younger ones was gone in him: Tom and Charles being at least as many years as they were his juniors distant from that age of feeling and reason, which might suggest the expediency of making friends, and of endeavouring to be less disagreeable.

(Mansfield Park, by Jane Austen)