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
• supercilious
• cavalier
• haughty
• bumptious
• superior
• high-and-mighty
• uppity
• domineering
• uppish
• pompous
• high-handed
• important
• assumptive
• dominant
• pretentious
• sniffy
• presumptuous
• huffy
• chesty
• masterful
• peremptory
• high-hat
• overweening
• authoritarian
• self-assertive
• lordly
• smug
• lofty
• huffish
• impudent
• proud
• dominating
• presuming
• bossy
• highfalutin
• toplofty
• stiff-necked
• self-asserting
• magisterial
• patronizing
• condescending
• snobbish
• disdainful
• vainglorious
• pontifical
• snooty
• saucy
• egocentric
• boastful
• cocky
• blusterous
• snobby
• impertinent
• narcissistic
• hubristic
• bombastic
• swaggering
• conceited
• egotistic
• blustery
• vain
• egoistic
• uninhibited
• complacent
• prideful
• self-centered
• pontificating
• 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

Rather than approaching Báthory through conventional psychological realism, Ottinger conceived Huppert’s vampire as an imperious, almost mythic presence. — Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 31 Aug. 2026

The Catholics in his government, from Supreme Court justices to Cabinet members to Vice President JD Vance, are acting as a rubber stamp for an imperious ruler, instead of imitations of Christ. — Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 19 Aug. 2026

Bukele’s manner is polite but imperious, slow to bestow approval. — Daniel Castro, New Yorker, 18 Aug. 2026

To set the imperious tone, guests are greeted in reception by two marble and stone busts of Roman emperor Vespasian and general Marcus Agrippa. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 July 2026