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

In the movie, set in medieval England, Anne (Turner) and her domineering mother-in-law, Morwen (Gay Harden), struggle to survive on the outskirts of society. —Jessica Radloff, Glamour, 1 Feb. 2026

The part of the audience fresh to this season’s developments may recall Hearts’ brief appearance in series 2 of Succession — Roman Roy buys the club as a gift for his Scottish father, the domineering Logan, only to discover Logan supports Hibs, Hearts’ Edinburgh rivals. —Michael Walker, New York Times, 26 Jan. 2026

Since determining whether someone is domineering is subjective and could vary based on different perspectives, that statement is unlikely to qualify as defamation. —Taylor Seely, AZCentral.com, 16 Jan. 2026

Set in medieval England, Anne (Turner) is torn between her domineering live-in mother-in-law Morwen (Marcia Gay Harden) and a new love interest, Jago (Harington). —Bailey Richards, PEOPLE, 15 Jan. 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