domineering

1 of 2

adjective

dom·​i·​neer·​ing ˌdä-mə-ˈnir-iŋ 

: inclined to exercise arbitrary and overbearing control over others

domineeringly adverb

domineeringness noun

domineeringness

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noun

dom·​i·​neer·​ing·​ness

plural -es

: the quality or state of being domineering

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

Adjective

• 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

Adjective

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

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Galitzine is taking on the iconic role of Adam Glenn, an exiled alien on Earth who learns that the domineering villain Skeletor is terrorizing his home world of Eternia. —Keith Langston, PEOPLE, 6 June 2026

Haverill is introduced in season 1 as a domineering borough commander who antagonizes Det. —Britt Hayes, Entertainment Weekly, 5 June 2026

August is a violent, domineering, bullying boss who starves and beats the animals in his circus and doesn’t treat his human workers much better. —Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 4 June 2026

Among those acolytes is Lucien (Jérémy Gillet), a reedy, repressed young virgin who yearns to be part of the gay community but hasn’t the courage to come out to his domineering mother Christine (Elisabeth Wiener), who also just happens to be the country’s very right-wing health minister. —Guy Lodge, Variety, 23 May 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1588, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for domineering

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