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
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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
David Turner is pristine in the part — gracious, knowing, subtly imperious, with a sense of irony older than the Caucasus.
—
Sara Holdren, Vulture, 24 Feb. 2026
Ever since Tonali offered an honest appraisal of his own long-term future on Tyneside in early November, there have been scant few occasions in which the Italian has delivered his imperious best.
—Chris Waugh, New York Times, 15 Feb. 2026
Sun Ra was simultaneously impish and imperious, bossing us with wiggles of his hands.
—Literary Hub, 13 Feb. 2026
An imperious figure with a tendency to grandstand, Yermak feuded with a succession of Western diplomats and just about everyone in Zelensky’s entourage.
—Simon Shuster, The Atlantic, 12 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for imperious
Sara Holdren, Vulture, 24 Feb. 2026
Ever since Tonali offered an honest appraisal of his own long-term future on Tyneside in early November, there have been scant few occasions in which the Italian has delivered his imperious best.
—Chris Waugh, New York Times, 15 Feb. 2026
Sun Ra was simultaneously impish and imperious, bossing us with wiggles of his hands.
—Literary Hub, 13 Feb. 2026
An imperious figure with a tendency to grandstand, Yermak feuded with a succession of Western diplomats and just about everyone in Zelensky’s entourage.
—Simon Shuster, The Atlantic, 12 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for imperious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for imperious
Adjective
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But another, on a purely narrative level, is how the Wiggin sisters were driven by a domineering dad, Austin Wiggin, as much as the Wilson brothers were by the infamous Murray Wilson, as Pat Thomas notes in the movie (also bringing up Joe Jackson as an even scarier reference).—
Chris Willman,
Variety,
15 Mar. 2026
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Adam McKay’s toxically smug dissection of Dick Cheney fails to take the full measure of this monstrous vice-president, but even so, Bale taps into something elemental about the man’s arrogance and domineering personality.—
Tim Grierson,
Vulture,
7 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Would the petulant, arrogant, all-knowing Donald still have started a war against Iran?—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
22 Mar. 2026
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Your partner acts arrogant or entitled.—
Kristen Rogers,
CNN Money,
21 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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In a show where the judging is often accused of being arbitrary, the makeover is considered the worst offender.—
Jason P. Frank,
Vulture,
21 Mar. 2026
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The shifting explanations, the defense argues, suggest the decision may have been arbitrary.—
Antonio María Delgado,
Miami Herald,
20 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Pundits say the public is too divided, the issues too technical, and the competition with China too urgent for democracy.—
Justin Rosenstein,
Fortune,
29 Mar. 2026
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Decisions move farther from classrooms, reforms take longer to implement and urgent problems become administrative processes.—
Daniel L Gordon,
Daily News,
29 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Organizers and protesters fear America is on a path toward authoritarian rule.—
Sarah D. Wire,
USA Today,
29 Mar. 2026
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The President has, in ICE, a quasi-authoritarian force at his disposal.—
Benjamin Wallace-Wells,
New Yorker,
29 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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They are commonly treated with medical interventions like medications and surgeries — which, while extremely helpful for acute pain, often saving limbs and lives — are considerably less helpful for chronic pain.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
24 Mar. 2026
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Like others, Toledo said surging gas prices have piled on to other rising costs and stagnant wages, making the pain more acute.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
23 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Francis ordered the Argentine criteria published as an official act of the Vatican and wrote a letter to the bishops declaring their interpretation authoritative.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
19 Mar. 2026
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With an authoritative and rich baritone voice, Orion Samuelson delivered critical information for farmers across the Midwest during a 60-year career as WGN-AM radio’s agribusiness reporter.—
Bob Goldsborough,
Chicago Tribune,
17 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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This means that filmmakers out of favor with autocratic regimes—including, in Iran, some of the nation’s greatest artists—don’t stand a chance, and some of the most notable recent Iranian films have been submitted by other countries.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
27 Mar. 2026
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Tens of thousands protested in Prague against populist Andrej Babiš’ new government, comparing it to increasingly autocratic Hungary and Slovakia.—
Karel Janicek,
Los Angeles Times,
22 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Imperious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/imperious. Accessed 30 Mar. 2026.
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