domineering

adjective

dom·​i·​neer·​ing ˌdä-mə-ˈnir-iŋ 

: inclined to exercise arbitrary and overbearing control over others

domineeringly adverb

domineeringness noun

Did you know?

To be domineering is to behave like a lord. (The word lordly doesn't express quite the same thing.) Someone who tells you what you can wear or what friends you can spend time with could be called domineering; so could someone who always decides what you're going to do with your free time. Those of us who grow up with a domineering parent usually flee as soon as we're old enough.

Synonyms of domineering

• authoritarian
• arrogant
• overbearing
• bossy
• aggressive

Choose the Right Synonym for domineering

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 domineering in a Sentence

the younger children in the family were controlled by a domineering older sister

Recent Examples on the Web

After being expelled from Brown University for sneaking a coed into his room, Turner came to Atlanta to work as an account executive for his domineering father’s billboard company, Turner Advertising. —David Bauder, Chicago Tribune, 6 May 2026

After being expelled from Brown University, Turner came to Atlanta to work for his domineering father’s billboard company, Turner Advertising. —David Bauder, Fortune, 6 May 2026

Weisberger famously served as a junior assistant for Anna Wintour, who is the inspiration behind Meryl Streep's domineering character of Miranda Priestly. —Rachel McRady, PEOPLE, 29 Apr. 2026

The new biopic of Jackson from director Antoine Fuqua and the Jackson estate paints the gloved one as the one true victim — a harmless Peter Pan figure whose own childhood was snatched away by a domineering father. —Marlow Stern, Variety, 28 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1588, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for domineering

• commandeering
• disappearing
• engineering
• interfering
• overhearing
• persevering
• pioneering
• privateering
• profiteering
• racketeering
• reappearing
• volunteering