Bossy

Asserting authority or control, often in a domineering, overbearing, or officious manner. A bossy person typically dictates how things should be done and tries to impose their will on others, often without considering their feelings or opinions.

It can be seen as lacking tact and being overly assertive, prioritizing personal direction over collaboration and mutual respect.

The term often carries a negative connotation, suggesting an imbalance of power and a lack of empathy in interactions.

It's closely related to leadership but distinguished by the disregard for consensus and consideration of others involved.

Bossy meaning with examples

• The new manager was immediately labeled as bossy because she constantly micromanaged every task, leaving employees feeling stifled and unable to contribute their own ideas or expertise effectively.
• During the group project, Sarah's bossy attitude caused friction as she insisted on making all the decisions and disregarded the suggestions offered by her fellow team members.
• He didn't mean to come across as bossy when offering guidance; he genuinely thought his experience could help, but perhaps his delivery needed some recalibration to seem less directive.
• Children sometimes accuse each other of being bossy during playtime when one child tries to dictate the rules of the game or tell others exactly what roles to play, causing resentment and disruption.