1
as in authoritarian
fond of ordering people around
an imperious little boy who liked to tell the other scouts what to do
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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
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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
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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
as in arrogance
an exaggerated sense of one's importance that shows itself in the making of excessive or unjustified claims
the imperiousness of that fashion designer irritates everyone around her
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of imperious
Proma Khosla, IndieWire, 23 Apr. 2025
Also amusing is Fiona Glascott as Lady Violet, an old acquaintance of Sherlock’s who specializes officially in schooling young ladies like Clara to join British high society and unofficially in casting her imperious judgment everywhere.
—Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 15 Apr. 2025
As Kimberly Shaw, a mild-mannered resident doctor of Wilshire Memorial Hospital, Cross shared plenty of scenes with Wagner, who shows up in the third season as Peter Burns, the hospital's imperious chief of staff.
—EW.com, 9 Apr. 2025
And Palace, who are in imperious away form, will feel optimistic about their chances to at least progress to Wembley.
—Matt Woosnam, New York Times, 27 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for imperious
Adjective
As the protagonist/antihero, audiences meet everyone through his eyes (and imperious narration) — and in his view, most people are shallow and irritating, especially the residents of Madre Linda.
—Proma Khosla, IndieWire, 23 Apr. 2025
Also amusing is Fiona Glascott as Lady Violet, an old acquaintance of Sherlock’s who specializes officially in schooling young ladies like Clara to join British high society and unofficially in casting her imperious judgment everywhere.
—Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 15 Apr. 2025
As Kimberly Shaw, a mild-mannered resident doctor of Wilshire Memorial Hospital, Cross shared plenty of scenes with Wagner, who shows up in the third season as Peter Burns, the hospital's imperious chief of staff.
—EW.com, 9 Apr. 2025
And Palace, who are in imperious away form, will feel optimistic about their chances to at least progress to Wembley.
—Matt Woosnam, New York Times, 27 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for imperious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for imperious
Adjective
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But this one rush job, HB 1205, was especially dear to the governor’s authoritarian heart.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
24 May 2025
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Panahi’s film, his first since being released from prison in 2023, is a direct assault on Iran’s authoritarian regime.—
Scott Roxborough,
HollywoodReporter,
24 May 2025
Adjective
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By losing some of its arrogant charm, Doom has also lost the means to back it up.—
Christopher Cruz,
Rolling Stone,
15 May 2025
-
For example, when a man in his sixties talks about the same thing, he’s seen as calm and logical, but when a woman in her twenties talks about it, she’s seen as arrogant or trying to act mature.—
Billboard Japan,
Billboard,
15 May 2025
Adjective
-
But Laxe’s cadence of death is nasty and arbitrary and delightful.—
Amy Nicholson,
Los Angeles Times,
18 May 2025
-
These bills would formalize what the Parole Board should already be doing and therefore limit arbitrary rejections.—
Julia Salazar,
New York Daily News,
16 May 2025
Adjective
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This category is broad and urgent—people are dealing with stress, sleep disorders, focus issues, and more.—
Tanya Benedicto Klich,
Forbes.com,
25 May 2025
-
Here's why and what happened CT officials issue urgent plea for help stopping ‘a plague’ in state waterways.—
Staff Reports,
Hartford Courant,
24 May 2025
Noun
-
Save us from violence, discord, and confusion; from pride and arrogance, and from every evil way.—
Jeannie Suk Gersen,
New Yorker,
15 May 2025
-
The Knicks have pulled it off by being resilient, near perfect in spurts and with the help of arrogance from the opponent.—
James L. Edwards III,
New York Times,
15 May 2025
Adjective
-
The trial had revealed Blue Cross’ domineering behavior.—
T. Christian Miller,
ProPublica,
12 Apr. 2025
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As mild-mannered schoolteacher Mr. Lisbon, James Woods plays a quiet counterpoint to his domineering wife.—
Sezin Devi Koehler,
EW.com,
21 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
His official cause of death was acute hypoxic respiratory failure, which is a condition where the lungs aren't able to release enough oxygen into the bloodstream.—
Keith Langston,
People.com,
25 May 2025
-
Intensity in relationships involves seeking out acute, high-stimulation feelings that often stem from fear, anxiety or a desire to escape emotional numbness, not from genuine connection.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
24 May 2025
Noun
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During an interview with Josh Martinez of Z100 on Superstar Crossover, Ospreay stated AEW's superiority in the current wrestling landscape.—
Andrew Ravens,
MSNBC Newsweek,
14 May 2025
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And they’ve been romanticized for nearly as long by foreign travelers who see an espresso bar and long counter full of hot foods, panini, and piles of prosciutto as a sign of culinary superiority.—
Lindsey Tramuta,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
7 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Imperious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/imperious. Accessed 30 May. 2025.
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