imperious

adjective

im·​pe·​ri·​ous im-ˈpir-ē-əs 

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 age

—J. F. Kennedy

imperiously adverb

imperiousness noun

Synonyms

• authoritarian
• authoritative
• autocratic
• autocratical
• bossy
• despotic
• dictatorial
• domineering
• masterful
• overbearing
• peremptory
• tyrannical
• tyrannic
• tyrannous

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

While Turner-Smith gets to develop Gracie beyond her intimidating, imperious exterior, the island interludes as a whole feel less focused without Yancy’s neurotic energy to push the proceedings forward. —Alison Herman, Variety, 14 Aug. 2024

Knowing how tight his friend’s margins were, Philbrick nevertheless stalled on the five-hundred-thousand-dollar payment, proffering low-effort excuses and imperious advice about managing client expectations and ignoring Whitfield’s frantic calls for two weeks. —Rosa Lyster, The New Yorker, 14 Aug. 2024

Here are six takeaways from a full day of basketball in Paris: Team USA in imperious form Team USA absolutely demolished Brazil to move into the semifinals after the Brazilians made the mistake of waking up an American squad that looked ready to put things in cruise control in the second quarter. —Kyle Feldscher, CNN, 6 Aug. 2024

Called out for her partying, her tumultuous romantic relationships and her reportedly imperious behavior on set, she was let go from the long-running drama after four seasons. —Judy Berman, TIME, 14 July 2024

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

Kids Definition

imperious

adjective

im·​pe·​ri·​ous im-ˈpir-ē-əs 

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