Synonyms of peremptory

peremptory

adjective

pə-ˈrem(p)-t(ə-)rē 

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

• authoritarian
• domineering
• arrogant
• authoritative
• commanding
• imperious
• aggressive
• autocratic
• tyrannical
• dictatorial
• overbearing
• bossy
• despotic
• proud
• tyrannous
• masterful
• controlling
• stern
• supercilious
• regimental
• haughty
• assumptive
• imperial
• important
• disdainful
• superior
• arbitrary
• presumptuous
• magisterial
• uppity
• huffy
• high-and-mighty
• pretentious
• assertive
• high-hat
• directorial
• lordly
• uppish
• overweening
• high-handed
• lofty
• imperative
• self-asserting
• narcissistic
• dictating
• highfalutin
• conceited
• pompous
• vain
• toplofty
• omnipotent
• presuming
• fastuous
• self-assertive
• all-powerful
• almighty
• firm

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• modest
• humble
• meek
• unassuming
• amenable
• obedient
• docile
• tractable
• passive
• indecisive
• compliant
• submissive
• irresolute
• yielding
• acquiescent
• resigned

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

• compulsory
• mandatory
• incumbent
• required
• necessary
• urgent
• obligatory
• imperative
• involuntary
• nonelective
• requisite
• needed
• insistent
• persistent
• all-important
• indispensable
• demanded
• forced
• pressing
• enforced
• essential
• coercive

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• voluntary
• optional
• elective
• discretionary
• unnecessary
• unwanted
• unimportant
• insignificant
• chosen
• inconsequential
• unneeded
• dispensable
• nonessential

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

• arrogant
• superior
• cavalier
• supercilious
• important
• bumptious
• assumptive
• dominant
• haughty
• sniffy
• domineering
• high-handed
• imperious
• uppity
• uppish
• high-and-mighty
• masterful
• huffy
• presumptuous
• pompous
• pretentious
• smug
• authoritarian
• high-hat
• chesty
• presuming
• dominating
• self-assertive
• lordly
• overweening
• impudent
• magisterial
• self-asserting
• lofty
• pontifical
• patronizing
• toplofty
• huffish
• condescending
• highfalutin
• proud
• bossy
• stiff-necked
• disdainful
• saucy
• impertinent
• bombastic
• boastful
• blusterous
• snobbish
• snooty
• swaggering
• cocky
• snobby
• blustery
• egocentric
• vainglorious
• vain
• narcissistic
• hubristic
• conceited
• egotistic
• egoistic
• pontificating
• complacent
• uninhibited
• self-complacent
• unreserved
• immodest
• brash
• self-satisfied
• braggy
• self-centered
• prideful
• extroverted
• self-conceited
• bragging
• braggart
• self-flattering
• stuck-up
• self-pleased
• orgulous
• self-loving
• self-affected
• self-applauding
• forward
• self-promoting

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• modest
• humble
• unpretentious
• timid
• lowly
• subdued
• shy
• bashful
• sheepish
• shrinking
• diffident
• passive
• deferential
• demure
• mousy
• acquiescent
• introverted
• meek
• unobtrusive
• compliant
• unassuming
• submissive
• unassertive
• yielding
• unarrogant
• unaggressive
• quiet
• self-critical
• cringing
• overmodest
• reserved
• self-doubting
• retiring
• cowering

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• arbitrary
• arrogant
• authoritarian
• imperious
• unfair
• unreasonable
• dominant
• inconsistent
• dictatorial
• willful
• commanding
• domineering
• high-handed
• unjust
• demanding
• haughty
• unequal
• imperative
• overbearing
• autocratic
• totalitarian
• capricious
• tyrannical
• erratic
• presumptuous
• whimsical
• despotic
• partisan
• inequitable
• mercurial
• masterful
• changeable
• biased
• lordly
• unprincipled
• unrealistic
• unscrupulous
• tyrannous
• prejudiced
• unethical
• unconscionable

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• equal
• equitable
• objective
• impartial
• disinterested
• reasonable
• fair
• dispassionate
• balanced
• rational
• evenhanded
• just
• nonpartisan
• understanding
• unprejudiced
• moral
• unbiased
• ethical
• honorable
• unimpeachable
• principled
• irreproachable
• law-abiding

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

Recent Examples of peremptory

Plenty of agency officials were already put off by the DOGErs, who often issued peremptory orders to meet with them and answer questions. —Eli Hager, ProPublica, 8 Sep. 2025

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

Because of that, the prosecutor might exercise a peremptory strike. —The Conversation, 11 Apr. 2024

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