Synonyms of imperious

imperious

adjective

im-ˈpir-ē-əs 

1

as in domineering

fond of ordering people around

an imperious little boy who liked to tell the other scouts what to do

Synonyms & Similar Words

• domineering
• authoritarian
• arrogant
• authoritative
• autocratic
• despotic
• tyrannical
• aggressive
• overbearing
• bossy
• commanding
• dictatorial
• proud
• tyrannous
• masterful
• peremptory
• controlling
• haughty
• supercilious
• stern
• imperial
• high-and-mighty
• disdainful
• uppity
• important
• superior
• pretentious
• presumptuous
• assumptive
• regimental
• arbitrary
• huffy
• overweening
• uppish
• magisterial
• high-hat
• lofty
• assertive
• directorial
• lordly
• narcissistic
• high-handed
• pompous
• conceited
• all-powerful
• highfalutin
• omnipotent
• vain
• dictating
• imperative
• fastuous
• self-asserting
• almighty
• toplofty
• self-assertive
• presuming
• firm

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• humble
• modest
• meek
• unassuming
• obedient
• docile
• amenable
• tractable
• passive
• indecisive
• submissive
• compliant
• irresolute
• yielding
• acquiescent
• resigned

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

• arrogant
• superior
• cavalier
• domineering
• supercilious
• haughty
• bumptious
• dominant
• important
• high-and-mighty
• uppity
• uppish
• pompous
• high-handed
• masterful
• assumptive
• pretentious
• sniffy
• presumptuous
• smug
• huffy
• chesty
• authoritarian
• peremptory
• high-hat
• dominating
• overweening
• self-assertive
• lordly
• presuming
• lofty
• huffish
• impudent
• proud
• bossy
• highfalutin
• toplofty
• stiff-necked
• patronizing
• self-asserting
• magisterial
• condescending
• disdainful
• snobbish
• pontifical
• vainglorious
• snooty
• saucy
• boastful
• egocentric
• cocky
• blusterous
• snobby
• impertinent
• narcissistic
• hubristic
• bombastic
• swaggering
• conceited
• vain
• egotistic
• blustery
• egoistic
• uninhibited
• complacent
• prideful
• pontificating
• self-centered
• self-satisfied
• self-complacent
• immodest
• self-conceited
• extroverted
• brash
• braggy
• braggart
• stuck-up
• unreserved
• bragging
• self-flattering
• self-affected
• self-pleased
• self-applauding
• self-loving
• self-promoting
• orgulous
• forward

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• humble
• modest
• lowly
• unpretentious
• timid
• subdued
• diffident
• sheepish
• bashful
• shy
• passive
• deferential
• shrinking
• mousy
• demure
• introverted
• meek
• submissive
• unassuming
• compliant
• acquiescent
• unobtrusive
• unassertive
• unarrogant
• unaggressive
• yielding
• quiet
• self-doubting
• self-critical
• overmodest
• cringing
• cowering
• retiring
• reserved

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

• arbitrary
• arrogant
• authoritarian
• dominant
• dictatorial
• unreasonable
• domineering
• unfair
• inconsistent
• willful
• peremptory
• high-handed
• commanding
• haughty
• unjust
• overbearing
• autocratic
• despotic
• tyrannical
• totalitarian
• capricious
• unequal
• demanding
• erratic
• presumptuous
• mercurial
• imperative
• whimsical
• partisan
• masterful
• unscrupulous
• inequitable
• changeable
• lordly
• tyrannous
• unprincipled
• unrealistic
• biased
• unconscionable
• unethical
• prejudiced

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• equal
• disinterested
• equitable
• impartial
• objective
• dispassionate
• fair
• reasonable
• balanced
• evenhanded
• rational
• just
• nonpartisan
• understanding
• moral
• unprejudiced
• unbiased
• honorable
• ethical
• unimpeachable
• irreproachable
• principled
• law-abiding

4

as in urgent

needing immediate attention

as war casualties mounted, the need for trained nurses became imperious

Synonyms & Similar Words

• urgent
• acute
• intense
• dire
• compelling
• pressing
• emergent
• critical
• importunate
• exigent
• imperative
• desperate
• crying
• insistent
• instant
• necessitous
• serious
• extreme
• immediate
• clamant
• burning
• dangerous
• overriding
• demanding
• crucial
• hazardous
• precarious
• severe
• perilous
• life-and-death
• explosive
• unstable
• vital
• grave

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• minor
• unimportant
• trivial
• negligible
• incidental
• noncritical
• low-pressure
• stable
• nonurgent
• safe
• nonthreatening

Synonym Chooser

How is the word imperious distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of imperious are domineering, imperative, masterful, and peremptory. While all these words mean "tending to impose one's will on others," imperious implies a commanding nature or manner and often suggests arrogant assurance.

an imperious executive used to getting his own way

When would domineering be a good substitute for imperious?

The synonyms domineering and imperious are sometimes interchangeable, but 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 imperious?

While the synonyms imperative and imperious are close in meaning, 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 masterful take the place of imperious?

The words masterful and imperious can be used in similar contexts, but 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 imperious?

The words peremptory and imperious are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, peremptory implies an abrupt dictatorial manner coupled with an unwillingness to brook disobedience or dissent.

given a peremptory dismissal

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of imperious

As Rose’s impoverished yet imperious mother Ruth, Parson’s dry deliveries offer great comic ballast to this ship of fools. —Frank Rizzo, Variety, 13 Apr. 2026

My sister, Louise, had spent hours perfecting the screechy, imperious cry of Starscream, only to use it when phoning the takeaway and ordering curry sauce and chips. —Douglas Stuart, New Yorker, 12 Apr. 2026

To the clonk of heels striking the floor, a pair of imperious silhouettes converge upon the same elevator. —Chop Choppish Shop, Air Mail, 11 Apr. 2026

One is by Clare Harner and the other is by Henry Scott Holland, and both approach death with tenderness, but also with a commanding tone fitting the imperious Ann. —Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 27 Mar. 2026