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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of imperious
Frida’s terminally ill mom, Victoria (Montse Guallar), escapes into a hedonistic haze of morphine, imperious behavior, and pansexual dalliances.
—
Judy Berman, Time, 19 Sep. 2025
Americans of a certain type can be just as imperious as their European cousins.
—Louis J. Esterhazy, Footwear News, 7 Sep. 2025
Anthony Elanga impressed on debut and Sandro Tonali’s imperious dominance created a foundation for a strong result.
—Harry De Cosemo, Forbes.com, 17 Aug. 2025
There are the clever visual gags allowed by animation, like characters who quite literally shoot daggers at one another while locked in a glaring match; there are many jokes at the imperious, overconfident Marioneta’s expense.
—Alison Herman, Variety, 17 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for imperious
Judy Berman, Time, 19 Sep. 2025
Americans of a certain type can be just as imperious as their European cousins.
—Louis J. Esterhazy, Footwear News, 7 Sep. 2025
Anthony Elanga impressed on debut and Sandro Tonali’s imperious dominance created a foundation for a strong result.
—Harry De Cosemo, Forbes.com, 17 Aug. 2025
There are the clever visual gags allowed by animation, like characters who quite literally shoot daggers at one another while locked in a glaring match; there are many jokes at the imperious, overconfident Marioneta’s expense.
—Alison Herman, Variety, 17 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for imperious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for imperious
Adjective
-
The developments led Nicolás Maduro, Venezuela’s socialist and authoritarian leader, to threaten to declare a state of emergency earlier this week.—
Morgan Chalfant,
semafor.com,
3 Oct. 2025
-
The book is a policy handbook meant to address the realities of political life following the turmoil of the French Revolution, presenting a Christian alternative to both the authoritarian secular liberalism and counterrevolutionary movements of the day.—
Indianapolis Star,
IndyStar,
3 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Jack Cutmore-Scott as Julius Beaufort, an arrogant new money banker at the center of New York society with an interest in Ellen.—
Joe Otterson,
Variety,
2 Oct. 2025
-
Jean stepped out as Nia approached—lean and arrogant, a cigarette pinched between her lips.—
David Wright Faladé,
New Yorker,
28 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Cuba’s leaders have pursued a slow, narrow and sometimes arbitrary path toward economic privatization – especially when contrasted with other officially communist countries in Asia.—
Joseph J. Gonzalez,
The Conversation,
3 Oct. 2025
-
The unions have asked the court to declare that both OMB and OPM have exceeded their statutory authority and acted in an arbitrary and capricious manner, and to invalidate any actions that may come from the memos and guidance issued.—
Franco Ordoñez,
NPR,
2 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Butler told the group modular homes could fill an urgent need for new construction in rural areas.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
8 Oct. 2025
-
And yet the problems seem urgent; some studies have plausibly linked the increasing rates of teen depression and anxiety to the spread of social media.—
Belinda Luscombe,
Time,
8 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
The domineering yet magnetic actor made the leap from London to the big screen, his sexy mad scientist becoming synonymous with controversy itself.—
Alison Foreman,
IndieWire,
1 Oct. 2025
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But as Blitzer points out, the Magnificent 7's domineering influence does not mean the S&P 500 is broken.—
Alex Mayyasi,
NPR,
23 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Timely treatment of acute illnesses and consistent management of chronic conditions or special needs are also vital to prevent deterioration and long-term consequences into adulthood.—
Jasmine Laws,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 Oct. 2025
-
On April 22, Carlos Gonzalez-Hernandez died of acute renal failure.—
Ryan Murphy,
IndyStar,
3 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
After authoritative wins over the Lions and Commanders, the Packers certainly had the look of a Super Bowl contender.—
Mike Jones,
New York Times,
2 Oct. 2025
-
Is the appearance of an authoritative dictionary at a precise moment in the history of a language a statement about its maturity?—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
29 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Fears are growing among Venezuela’s leadership that the true goal of the US deployment is toppling the autocratic regime of President Nicolás Maduro, though some warn a military intervention could further destabilize the country.—
Jeronimo Gonzalez,
semafor.com,
3 Oct. 2025
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That same energy appears to be in the streets of Belgrade now, sustained by a new generation of citizens standing firm against the tactic of a different autocratic leader.—
Hanna Begić,
The Conversation,
29 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Imperious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/imperious. Accessed 9 Oct. 2025.
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