imperious

adjective

im·​pe·​ri·​ous im-ˈpir-ē-əs How to pronounce imperious (audio)
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 ageJ. F. Kennedy
imperiously adverb
imperiousness noun
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noone’s responses could be imperious and inconsistent, signalling readiness to help Steve’s investigation one moment and resistance the next. Eren Orbey, New Yorker, 13 Oct. 2025 Julian dispatches Ares and his deputy, Athena (an imperious Jodie Turner-Smith), to the physical world, ordering them to shake down Eve for information about Flynn’s code. David Sims, The Atlantic, 10 Oct. 2025 The penalty was lashed and ludicrous, the timing important with Newcastle leading 1-0 but hardly imperious. George Caulkin, New York Times, 6 Oct. 2025 The adolescent protagonist soon finds himself at the mercy of his imperious uncle, who puts his nephew out on the street for missing a midnight curfew, of which poor Karl was quite unaware. Literary Hub, 6 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for imperious

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of imperious was in 1529

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Imperious.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/imperious. Accessed 19 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

imperious

adjective
im·​pe·​ri·​ous im-ˈpir-ē-əs How to pronounce imperious (audio)
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

More from Merriam-Webster on imperious

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