1
as in authoritarian
fond of ordering people around
an imperious little boy who liked to tell the other scouts what to do
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in arrogant
having a feeling of superiority that shows itself in an overbearing attitude
an imperious movie star who thinks she's some sort of goddess
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in arbitrary
having or showing a tendency to force one's will on others without any regard to fairness or necessity
an office administrator with an imperious manner that really grates on people
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in urgent
needing immediate attention
as war casualties mounted, the need for trained nurses became imperious
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of imperious
The disconnect comes through most strongly in the subplots involving supporting characters, like the flirtations between Jess’ various marketing co-workers (which include her imperious boss, played by Richard E. Grant).
—
Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 10 July 2025
But his life takes a turn for the absurd with the arrival of a beautiful Frenchwoman, Valérie, with an imperious chihuahua, just as another guest goes missing.
—The New Yorker, New Yorker, 25 June 2025
England opening batter Ben Duckett has started the summer in imperious form.
—Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 19 June 2025
The scientist, more hapless than mad, must retrieve Stitch in the name of the United Galactic Federation (Hannah Waddingham voices the imperious leader).
—Michael Phillips, Chicago Tribune, 21 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for imperious
Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 10 July 2025
But his life takes a turn for the absurd with the arrival of a beautiful Frenchwoman, Valérie, with an imperious chihuahua, just as another guest goes missing.
—The New Yorker, New Yorker, 25 June 2025
England opening batter Ben Duckett has started the summer in imperious form.
—Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 19 June 2025
The scientist, more hapless than mad, must retrieve Stitch in the name of the United Galactic Federation (Hannah Waddingham voices the imperious leader).
—Michael Phillips, Chicago Tribune, 21 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for imperious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for imperious
Adjective
-
The interim government, formed shortly afterward under the leadership of Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, was widely hailed as a new chapter for Bangladesh: a chance to repair years of authoritarian rule, enforced disappearances, corruption and human rights abuses.—
Shamim Chowdhury,
NPR,
5 Aug. 2025
-
For any authoritarian regime, political succession is a moment of peril, and for all its strengths, the CCP is no exception.—
TYLER JOST,
Foreign Affairs,
4 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Depicting Americans as arrogant, loud, boorish and demeaning of other cultures, the term has stuck and is still mentioned 60-plus years later.—
Jenny Peters,
Oc Register,
4 Aug. 2025
-
The most radical overhaul of the tax code in our state’s history would require voter approval in November 2026, and that starts by portraying local governments as cartoonishly arrogant, bloated and unaccountable.—
Orlando Sentinel,
The Orlando Sentinel,
26 July 2025
Adjective
-
In some ways, are triple doubles an arbitrary achievement?—
Shane Young,
Forbes.com,
8 Aug. 2025
-
Lalami clearly needed a way to get Sara home to end the book, and springing her in this way is consistent with the arbitrary nature of her incarceration and the mercurial behavior of her keepers.—
Book Marks
August 7,
Literary Hub,
7 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Trump, in the lead-up to his meeting with Putin, repeatedly stressed the need for an urgent, long-lasting ceasefire in the war.—
Erin Doherty,
CNBC,
17 Aug. 2025
-
This research emphasizes the urgent need for stronger safeguards as AI agents become more embedded in business operations.—
Gene Marks,
Forbes.com,
17 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
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
Adjective
-
Hogan died of acute myocardial infarction, commonly known as a heart attack, PEOPLE confirmed on Thursday, July 31.—
Julie Mazziotta,
People.com,
5 Aug. 2025
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His cause of death has been confirmed as acute myocardial infarction, commonly known as a heart attack.—
William Cornwell,
The Conversation,
1 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Whether creating targeted blog posts, authoritative corporate content, persuasive e-commerce descriptions, or detailed educational resources, precise prompts enhance engagement, SEO performance, and monetization potential.—
AllBusiness,
Forbes.com,
1 Aug. 2025
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The decision means that in the authoritative opinion of the international legal community, all countries are under an obligation to contribute to the efforts to reduce global greenhouse emissions.—
Daimeon Shanks-Dumont,
The Conversation,
1 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
This nonfiction account from the Pulitzer-prize winning writer analyzes 21st century autocratic states worldwide, and how democracies can best organize underneath them.—
Carly Tagen-Dye,
People.com,
7 Aug. 2025
-
Taiwan’s parties, in other words, portray their opponents not just as politically different but as autocratic traitors.—
LEV NACHMAN,
Foreign Affairs,
1 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Imperious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/imperious. Accessed 20 Aug. 2025.
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