Definition of peremptorynext
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Synonym Chooser

How is the word peremptory distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of peremptory are domineering, imperative, imperious, and masterful. While all these words mean "tending to impose one's will on others," peremptory implies an abrupt dictatorial manner coupled with an unwillingness to brook disobedience or dissent.

given a peremptory dismissal

When is domineering a more appropriate choice than peremptory?

Although the words domineering and peremptory have much in common, domineering suggests an overbearing or arbitrary manner and an obstinate determination to enforce one's will.

children controlled by domineering parents

Where would imperative be a reasonable alternative to peremptory?

The words imperative and peremptory are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, imperative implies peremptoriness arising more from the urgency of the situation than from an inherent will to dominate.

an imperative appeal for assistance

When might imperious be a better fit than peremptory?

While the synonyms imperious and peremptory are close in meaning, imperious implies a commanding nature or manner and often suggests arrogant assurance.

an imperious executive used to getting his own way

When would masterful be a good substitute for peremptory?

The words masterful and peremptory can be used in similar contexts, but masterful implies a strong personality and ability to act authoritatively.

her masterful personality soon dominated the movement

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of peremptory The lawyers accused prosecutors of using seven of their nine peremptory strikes to remove Black jurors from the prospective panel before the final jury was selected. Rolling Stone, 16 June 2025 The defense challenged some of the government’s peremptory strikes over suggestions of racial bias. Cnn.com Wire Service, Mercury News, 13 May 2025 The selection process included the use of peremptory strikes by both the prosecution and defense, allowing each side to dismiss certain jurors without giving a reason. Amanda Castro joshua Rhett Miller, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 May 2025 Friday was the day that attorneys for the prosecution and defense would further question the 43 men and women from the jury pool, whittling that group down to 12 jurors and six alternates by exercising their peremptory strikes. Kevin Dolak, HollywoodReporter, 9 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for peremptory
Recent Examples of Synonyms for peremptory
Adjective
  • Top prize, the Golden Bear for best film, went to Ilker Çatak’s Yellow Letters, a drama following Derya (Özgü Namal) and Aziz (Tansu Biçer), two Turkish theater artists who lose their jobs due to political persecution from Turkey’s authoritarian government.
    Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 21 Feb. 2026
  • Democrats have warned that the administration is pushing an authoritarian approach that violates constitutional rights, and polls show most people disapprove of Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
    Zac Anderson, USA Today, 21 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • Where military service is compulsory, and may only disappoint our best or even worst men, but can be interrupted, thank god, by life’s hairpin turns.
    Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 16 Feb. 2026
  • European and American teachings focused more on compulsory figures, the basic patterns skaters would trace across the ice that give the sport its name.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 9 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • Maekar refuses, earning a cutting rebuttal from Dunk about the royal upbringing that turned Daeron (Henry Ashton) into a drunken coward and Aerion into an arrogant and cruel madman.
    Megan McCluskey, Time, 23 Feb. 2026
  • And ironically, the most arrogant ones are the worst ones.
    Outside Online, Outside Online, 11 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • But hitting arbitrary targets has never been the point of the ratings game; what really matters in Milan is that NBC is clearing all its guarantees to advertisers.
    Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 20 Feb. 2026
  • Lusverti added that the list of beneficiaries fails to cover key periods of arbitrary detentions, including cases between 2020 and 2024, and raised concerns that the same courts that ordered the imprisonments are now responsible for administering the amnesty.
    Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 20 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • Sophie Turner plays Anne, living in the countryside and struggling in poverty with her domineering mother-in-law Morwen (Harden).
    Frank Scheck, HollywoodReporter, 19 Feb. 2026
  • 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
Adjective
  • Between attorney fees, court filing fees and mandatory credit counseling courses, the upfront and ongoing costs of a Chapter 13 case can cost thousands of dollars.
    Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 19 Feb. 2026
  • Sykes, who was nominated by President Joe Biden, a Democrat, ruled in November and again in December that the mandatory detention policy violated an act of Congress.
    Sudhin Thanawala, Chicago Tribune, 19 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • There is always this weird, uncomfortable hierarchical relationship, where the journalist might feel superior, or the subject feels that way.
    Marc Weingarten, Los Angeles Times, 21 Feb. 2026
  • And one way to try to defend your inferior offer is to try to attack ours, instead of just making a superior offer yourself.
    Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 21 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • That fluency can sound authoritative, even though AI is not assessing context or consequence.
    Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 18 Feb. 2026
  • The essay, included in Arendt’s epoch-making 1951 book, The Origins of Totalitarianism, would profoundly influence some of the most authoritative scholars of modern France.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 17 Feb. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Peremptory.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/peremptory. Accessed 26 Feb. 2026.

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