imperious

adjective

im·​pe·​ri·​ous im-ˈpir-ē-əs How to pronounce imperious (audio)
1
a
: marked by arrogant assurance : domineering
b
: befitting or characteristic of one of eminent rank or attainments : commanding, dominant
an imperious manner
2
: intensely compelling : urgent
the imperious problems of the new ageJ. F. Kennedy
imperiously adverb
imperiousness noun
Choose the Right Synonym for imperious

masterful, domineering, imperious, peremptory, imperative mean tending to impose one's will on others.

masterful implies a strong personality and ability to act authoritatively.

her masterful personality soon dominated the movement

domineering suggests an overbearing or arbitrary manner and an obstinate determination to enforce one's will.

children controlled by domineering parents

imperious implies a commanding nature or manner and often suggests arrogant assurance.

an imperious executive used to getting his own way

peremptory implies an abrupt dictatorial manner coupled with an unwillingness to brook disobedience or dissent.

given a peremptory dismissal

imperative implies peremptoriness arising more from the urgency of the situation than from an inherent will to dominate.

an imperative appeal for assistance

Examples of imperious in a Sentence

an imperious little boy who liked to tell the other scouts what to do an imperious movie star who thinks she's some sort of goddess
Recent Examples on the Web Founder fans cheered Apple’s late Steve Jobs, imperious but effective. Rich Karlgaard, Forbes, 10 Oct. 2024 Sanada made a potentially imperious character unpredictable yet calculating, full of human ambition yet impossible to ever read completely. Scott Feinberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 13 Sep. 2024 Thus, in a less imperious Supreme Court, VanDerStok would be an easy case. Ian Millhiser, Vox, 7 Dec. 2018 To be sure, the Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood’s authoritarian tendencies, imperious style, and economic mismanagement contributed to the popular alienation of the group. David Schenker, Foreign Affairs, 3 Oct. 2013 See all Example Sentences for imperious 

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

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Latin imperiōsus "exercising authority, domineering," from imperium "authority over family members and slaves exercised by the head of a household, supreme administrative authority, dominion" + -ōsus -ous — more at empire

First Known Use

1529, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of imperious was in 1529

Dictionary Entries Near imperious

Cite this Entry

“Imperious.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/imperious. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

imperious

adjective
im·​pe·​ri·​ous im-ˈpir-ē-əs How to pronounce imperious (audio)
1
: behaving like someone who is a supreme ruler
2
: imperative entry 1 sense 2, urgent
the imperious problems of a new age
imperiously adverb
imperiousness noun

More from Merriam-Webster on imperious

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