1
as in authoritarian
fond of ordering people around
the governor's peremptory personal assistant began telling the crowd of reporters and photographers exactly where they had to stand
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in compulsory
forcing one's compliance or participation by or as if by law
a peremptory summons to appear before the committee
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
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
4
as in arbitrary
having or showing a tendency to force one's will on others without any regard to fairness or necessity
a peremptory insistence that the staff wait on them first
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of peremptory
The genius of the people will ill brook the inquisitive and peremptory spirit of excise laws.
—
Marie Sapirie, Forbes.com, 25 Aug. 2025
The administration’s radical and peremptory elimination of U.S. foreign assistance removed a lever of American influence and telegraphed a level of indifference that will not go unnoticed.
—Kori Schake, Foreign Affairs, 24 June 2025
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
Because of that, the prosecutor might exercise a peremptory strike.
—The Conversation, 11 Apr. 2024
See All Example Sentences for peremptory
Marie Sapirie, Forbes.com, 25 Aug. 2025
The administration’s radical and peremptory elimination of U.S. foreign assistance removed a lever of American influence and telegraphed a level of indifference that will not go unnoticed.
—Kori Schake, Foreign Affairs, 24 June 2025
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
Because of that, the prosecutor might exercise a peremptory strike.
—The Conversation, 11 Apr. 2024
See All Example Sentences for peremptory
Recent Examples of Synonyms for peremptory
Adjective
-
Magyar—sitting in the front row, rewatching a film that had helped establish him as a global icon of anti-authoritarian resistance—was less than four days away from taking power.—
Andrew Marantz,
New Yorker,
9 May 2026
-
Malaysia’s King Sultan Ibrahim Iskandar, Laos President Thongloun Sisoulith, Kazakhstan’s President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, Uzbekistan's President Shavkat Mirziyoyev and Belarus’ authoritarian leader Alexander Lukashenko attended the festivities in the Russian capital.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
9 May 2026
Adjective
-
Not only is Irish the Republic’s first official language, and compulsory from primary through to secondary school, it is required for entry into the civil service, and it is supported by its own radio station (Raidió na Gaeltachta) and TV station (TG4), and a range of promotional bodies.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
4 May 2026
-
The plan leaves the door open for limited compulsory recruitment if not enough people volunteer.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
29 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Not even the pork choppers were as arrogant and scornful of voting rights as the current mob.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
11 May 2026
-
Of course, David went on to build one of the most illustrious careers in television with characters who are often arrogant, petty and unlikable by traditional media standards.—
Ethan Shanfeld,
Variety,
8 May 2026
Adjective
-
The fundamental processes governing brain health — genetics, neural and synaptic plasticity, and neuroinflammation — do not respect the arbitrary boundaries drawn between neurology and psychiatry.—
Eric J. Nestler,
STAT,
28 Apr. 2026
-
White-Jacket did cause a stir with its discussion of the arbitrary and cruel use of flogging in the US Navy.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
28 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The new biopic of Jackson from director Antoine Fuqua and the Jackson estate paints the gloved one as the one true victim — a harmless Peter Pan figure whose own childhood was snatched away by a domineering father.—
Marlow Stern,
Variety,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Joseph has a cruel and domineering air about him.—
Paul A. Thompson,
Pitchfork,
27 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Key measures include mandatory identification verification for recording, witness address requirements and free property fraud alert services from county clerks.—
Lew Sichelman,
Miami Herald,
7 May 2026
-
Fort Mill joined Clover in announcing mandatory restrictions after the Catawba-Wateree Drought Management Advisory Group upgraded the region to Stage 2.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
7 May 2026
Adjective
-
The Sixers had momentum — a chance to steal (yes, steal) a game against a far (yes, far) superior Knicks team and salvage what was left of their playoff hopes after ceding the first two games of the second-round series at Madison Square Garden.—
Kristian Winfield,
New York Daily News,
9 May 2026
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These cultivars are All-America Selections winners because of their superior performance from midsummer until frost.—
Megan Hughes,
Better Homes & Gardens,
9 May 2026
Adjective
-
Every Tuesday, this new newsletter will deliver clear-eyed, authoritative intelligence on the deals, decisions, policies, and power shifts shaping one of the world’s most consequential regions, written for the people who need to act on it.—
Jim Edwards,
Fortune,
4 May 2026
-
Denver landed an authoritative punch in the second and third quarters of Game 1 to open this playoff series against the Timberwolves.—
Jace Frederick,
Twin Cities,
27 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Peremptory.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/peremptory. Accessed 12 May. 2026.
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