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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of imperious
Wilde delivers a pure-camp performance here, trying to one-up Miranda Priestly with her imperious workplace attitude, cover-girl eyeliner and droll line deliveries.
—
Peter Debruge, Variety, 24 Jan. 2026
Howe’s imperious record with Newcastle in this competition has also been punctured.
—Chris Waugh, New York Times, 13 Jan. 2026
It's been over a decade since the world last caught sight of Jan Levinson, the frosty, imperious, yet hilarious sales executive played by Melora Hardin on The Office.
—Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 29 Dec. 2025
Whether wasted out of her mind after Hedda Gabler (Tessa Thompson) coaxes Hoss’ imperious literature professor off the wagon, or a sobbing, heaving wreck of herself when the pages of her latest book go missing at a 1950s mansion party.
—Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 30 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for imperious
Peter Debruge, Variety, 24 Jan. 2026
Howe’s imperious record with Newcastle in this competition has also been punctured.
—Chris Waugh, New York Times, 13 Jan. 2026
It's been over a decade since the world last caught sight of Jan Levinson, the frosty, imperious, yet hilarious sales executive played by Melora Hardin on The Office.
—Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 29 Dec. 2025
Whether wasted out of her mind after Hedda Gabler (Tessa Thompson) coaxes Hoss’ imperious literature professor off the wagon, or a sobbing, heaving wreck of herself when the pages of her latest book go missing at a 1950s mansion party.
—Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 30 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for imperious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for imperious
Adjective
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This is the rare movie adaptation that does cover the second half of the book, and our first glimpse of Heathcliff is as the domineering terror of his later years.—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
16 Feb. 2026
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Even though Kenneth was the one to shoot Sheridan, both the jury and the judge accepted the prosecution's argument that Ronald was the domineering brother and had planned and directed the killing.—
Amanda Lee Myers,
USA Today,
10 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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And ironically, the most arrogant ones are the worst ones.—
Outside Online,
Outside Online,
11 Feb. 2026
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But there’s a throughline in Smith’s most popular works — he’s been cast repeatedly as a villain, and usually an arrogant or smug one.—
Sophia Solano,
Washington Post,
7 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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The colonists were subject to arbitrary taxation, warrantless searches, standing armies in their homes, and other evils at the hands of the crown.—
Agustina Vergara Cid,
Oc Register,
15 Feb. 2026
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Judges could reason the NCAA interpreting rules to allow pros from some leagues, but not others, is hypocritical and arbitrary.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
10 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Two hours later, Ukraine’s urgent plight – the defining security crisis of Europe’s post-WW2 era - was passionately portrayed by President Volodymyr Zelensky, evoking the issue that should have been center stage breaking through the MAGA noise.—
Nick Paton Walsh,
CNN Money,
15 Feb. 2026
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This includes those who have qualified for conditional entry under the asylum and refugee laws or based on urgent humanitarian reasons, such as survivors of domestic violence or human trafficking.—
Isa Almeida,
Oklahoman,
14 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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In other words, diaspora activists may advocate positions that resonate with Western audiences, but find little support among those actually living under authoritarian rule.—
Michael Paarlberg,
The Conversation,
12 Feb. 2026
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Trump’s steamrolling of anything, including the Constitution, that might impede his authoritarian project has made the limpness of the Democratic opposition more conspicuous.—
Mark Leibovich,
The Atlantic,
11 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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According to Murray, the problem is particularly acute in Miami-Dade County.—
Brianna Mantaras,
Miami Herald,
17 Feb. 2026
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The need for solutions is acute as costs for families continue to rise.—
Robert Duffy,
New York Daily News,
16 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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My thinking ultimately derived from my response to Slate and NPR’s new Black film canon project, which was an authoritative list of 50 films.—
Zac Ntim,
Deadline,
11 Feb. 2026
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Duah’s authoritative finish in the 68th minute stood as the largest goal of the two matches.—
Tom Krasovic,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
11 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Leaving him out is like ignoring the massive autocratic elephant in the room.—
Jordan Mintzer,
HollywoodReporter,
13 Feb. 2026
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Berisha claims the protests have been peaceful, and people are only voicing their opposition to Rama’s increasing autocratic rule and his attacks of the justice system.—
Chris Massaro,
FOXNews.com,
13 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Imperious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/imperious. Accessed 18 Feb. 2026.
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