Entry Word: peremptory

Function: adjective

Meaning: 1 fond of ordering people around <the governorʼs peremptory personal assistant began telling the crowd of reporters and photographers exactly where they had to stand> — see bossy
2 forcing oneʼs compliance or participation by or as if by law <a peremptory summons to appear before the committee> — see mandatory
3 having a feeling of superiority that shows itself in an overbearing attitude <she had such a peremptory approach to running the club that people started to avoid her> — see arrogant
4 having or showing a tendency to force oneʼs will on others without any regard to fairness or necessity <a peremptory insistence that the staff wait on them first> — see arbitrary 1