domineering 1 of 2

domineering

2 of 2

verb

present participle of domineer

Synonym Chooser

How is the word domineering distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of domineering are imperative, imperious, masterful, and peremptory. While all these words mean "tending to impose one's will on others," domineering suggests an overbearing or arbitrary manner and an obstinate determination to enforce one's will.

children controlled by domineering parents

When could imperative be used to replace domineering?

In some situations, the words imperative and domineering are roughly equivalent. However, imperative implies peremptoriness arising more from the urgency of the situation than from an inherent will to dominate.

an imperative appeal for assistance

In what contexts can imperious take the place of domineering?

The meanings of imperious and domineering largely overlap; however, imperious implies a commanding nature or manner and often suggests arrogant assurance.

an imperious executive used to getting his own way

When would masterful be a good substitute for domineering?

While the synonyms masterful and domineering are close in meaning, masterful implies a strong personality and ability to act authoritatively.

her masterful personality soon dominated the movement

When is it sensible to use peremptory instead of domineering?

The synonyms peremptory and domineering are sometimes interchangeable, but peremptory implies an abrupt dictatorial manner coupled with an unwillingness to brook disobedience or dissent.

given a peremptory dismissal

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of domineering
Verb
In the film, Earth’s rocky next-door neighbor is in a bit of a crisis: After a literal battle of the sexes, Martian men are dying out, leaving the domineering and oversexed Martian women in a terrible state. Literary Hub, 19 Aug. 2025 Away from the nonstop publicity machinery, Mansfield is revealed to be a ferocious romantic who sometimes suffered the abuse of domineering and violent men. Sheri Linden, HollywoodReporter, 7 Aug. 2025 Avoid being domineering, but also avoid being stepped on by someone else. Georgia Nicols, Denver Post, 25 July 2025 My Mom Died is a heartbreaking and hilarious recounting of McCurdy’s struggles as a former child actor while dealing with her overbearing, domineering mother. Charley Ross, Glamour, 2 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for domineering
Recent Examples of Synonyms for domineering
Adjective
  • Now, the same institutions once intimidated by authoritarian power have declared that a former commander-in-chief conspired to revoke the 2022 election, assassinate rivals, and eventually unleash street chaos to hold on to power.
    Julia Vargas Jones, CNN Money, 12 Sep. 2025
  • Ray's father was a dissenter who was executed by the Major himself for his outspoken anti-authoritarian views, and Ray wants revenge.
    Megan McCluskey, Time, 12 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Indy won the Commissioner’s Cup by dominating those dominant Lynx in the tournament title game.
    Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 13 Sep. 2025
  • Ironically enough the growth and deposits in the DeFi sector continue to trend toward centralization, with three (3) players dominating the space.
    Sean Stein Smith, Forbes.com, 13 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Zane played the arrogant Cal Hockley, who was engaged to Jack's love interest, Rose (played by Kate Winslet).
    Virginia Chamlee, People.com, 9 Sep. 2025
  • Hardly seems like enough to cow these arrogant companies into behaving, especially when their business model is so intrinsically tied to hoovering up other people’s information and creative work.
    James Folta, Literary Hub, 8 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • The right question, asked at the right time, can shape decisions without dictating them.
    Julia Korn, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025
  • How much so will go a long way to dictating how successful this window has been or not.
    James McNicholas, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • From the outside, Laura could be loving, protective, overbearing, even intrusive — while Cherry sows doubt for hiding pieces of her past despite ostensibly adoring her new beau.
    Proma Khosla, IndieWire, 10 Sep. 2025
  • An accomplished art dealer, Laura has her loving hotel tycoon husband, Howard (Waleed Zuaiter), and an overbearing bond with her adult son, Daniel (Laurie Davidson), a physician.
    Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 10 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Now, the Franciscan missionaries oppressing the Native Americans in the painting had arrows piercing their heads and bodies.
    Shomik Mukherjee, Mercury News, 6 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • The character, Olivia’s bossy butler, is one of the greatest parts in Shakespeare, and Dinklage delights in it.
    Helen Shaw, New Yorker, 22 Aug. 2025
  • August begins with Mars’ debut in Libra, energizing your bossy 10th house of authority, career and reputation in the world, prompting you to focus on your professional life and public image, which leaves little time for romance.
    Valerie Mesa, People.com, 7 Aug. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Domineering.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/domineering. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.

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