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as in arrogant
having a feeling of superiority that shows itself in an overbearing attitude she had such a peremptory approach to running the club that people started to avoid her

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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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 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 The jury has still yet to be confirmed for the trial, as the 43 potential jurors will be brought in early Monday morning for peremptory strikes. Ethan Shanfeld, Variety, 9 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 Nineteen potential jurors who were questioned Monday are expected to be considered for the panel in the peremptory strike phase, when attorneys for both sides can opt to strike a prospective juror for almost any reason. Kara Scannell, CNN Money, 5 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for peremptory
Recent Examples of Synonyms for peremptory
Adjective
  • The developments led Nicolás Maduro, Venezuela’s socialist and authoritarian leader, to threaten to declare a state of emergency earlier this week.
    Morgan Chalfant, semafor.com, 3 Oct. 2025
  • The book is a policy handbook meant to address the realities of political life following the turmoil of the French Revolution, presenting a Christian alternative to both the authoritarian secular liberalism and counterrevolutionary movements of the day.
    Indianapolis Star, IndyStar, 3 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • The problem arises when implicit or explicit pressures make either covering or uncovering feel compulsory—so the aim is to restore agency, letting employees decide for themselves without penalty.
    Tia Katz, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025
  • The campaign faces a tight deadline, but veto referendums have been successful in Missouri as recently as 2017, when labor unions successfully organized to defeat a right-to-work law that would have banned compulsory union fees.
    Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 16 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Jack Cutmore-Scott as Julius Beaufort, an arrogant new money banker at the center of New York society with an interest in Ellen.
    Joe Otterson, Variety, 2 Oct. 2025
  • Jean stepped out as Nia approached—lean and arrogant, a cigarette pinched between her lips.
    David Wright Faladé, New Yorker, 28 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Cuba’s leaders have pursued a slow, narrow and sometimes arbitrary path toward economic privatization – especially when contrasted with other officially communist countries in Asia.
    Joseph J. Gonzalez, The Conversation, 3 Oct. 2025
  • The unions have asked the court to declare that both OMB and OPM have exceeded their statutory authority and acted in an arbitrary and capricious manner, and to invalidate any actions that may come from the memos and guidance issued.
    Franco Ordoñez, NPR, 2 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • But as Blitzer points out, the Magnificent 7's domineering influence does not mean the S&P 500 is broken.
    Alex Mayyasi, NPR, 23 Sep. 2025
  • Managers often grow more assertive (sometimes drifting into domineering).
    Dave Winsborough, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Medicare will not be interrupted by the shutdown because it’s classified as a mandatory government service.
    Sarah Moreno, Miami Herald, 3 Oct. 2025
  • Nearly eight years later, Serhat Gumrukcu, 42, of Los Angeles, is facing a mandatory life sentence in the killing of Gregory Davis, who was abducted from his Vermont home and found shot to death at the base of a nearby snowbank in January 2018, according to prosecutors.
    Julia Marnin, Sacbee.com, 3 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • This pathway to better understanding so many aspects of the Universe was supposed to continue, driven by new tools, superior developing technology, the next generation of scientists, and a sustained investment in the one endeavor — fundamental science — that benefits all of humankind.
    Ethan Siegel, Big Think, 1 Oct. 2025
  • This initiative will merge Billboard China‘s global clout with Tencent Music’s superior music content in China.
    Billboard China, Billboard, 1 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Is the appearance of an authoritative dictionary at a precise moment in the history of a language a statement about its maturity?
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 29 Sep. 2025
  • The site has been weaponized to magnify climate denial and vaccine denial messaging, while drowning out actual authoritative scientific sources and voices.
    Michael E. Mann, Time, 17 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Peremptory.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/peremptory. Accessed 7 Oct. 2025.

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