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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
  • This feels more important than ever in a world that tries to normalize genocide and climate catastrophe as the inevitable outcome of ongoing and increasingly authoritarian imperialist projects.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 17 Oct. 2025
  • In all of our studies, this mindset was also strongly associated with authoritarian attitudes, including beliefs that some groups should dominate others and support for autocratic government.
    Abraham Rutchick, The Conversation, 15 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
  • Some might see you as arrogant.
    Georgia Nicols, Denver Post, 16 Oct. 2025
  • Jackson returns as Wes Bryant, a handsome, intelligent, but arrogant man who had just moved to Seattle and was revealed to be a new medical intern at Grey Sloan.
    Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 9 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • The trend's noon cutoff is also arbitrary, and while the habits are beneficial, the timing and exact numbers may not suit everyone's needs or lifestyles — and may not always be possible.
    Deirdre Bardolf, FOXNews.com, 19 Oct. 2025
  • Anchor your investments Anchoring happens when investors fixate on an arbitrary reference point.
    Chris Stevens, Nashville Tennessean, 19 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Her anxiety stems from her domineering mother (Barbara Hershey) and rival dancer (Mila Kunis) who may or may not be after her part in the ballet.
    Steven Thrash, Entertainment Weekly, 19 Oct. 2025
  • And one of the reasons the film doesn’t succeed is Meryl Streep’s grotesque performance as the filterless, domineering matriarch.
    Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 10 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Because Social Security benefit programs are considered mandatory spending by law, they are not impacted by the lapse in funding appropriations.
    Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy, USA Today, 18 Oct. 2025
  • However, washing isn’t mandatory, and a raccoon still will dine if there’s no water nearby.
    Arricca Elin SanSone, Southern Living, 18 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • The South Ridge Trail (7 miles round-trip) offers a more challenging trek with superior views of Bar Harbor and the Porcupine Islands.
    Jacqueline Kehoe, AFAR Media, 15 Oct. 2025
  • The platform reportedly applies principles borrowed from structural engineering in bridges and skyscrapers and uses a triangular honeycomb structure for superior stability and load distribution.
    Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 15 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Clients and partners need the dynamic, authoritative showman in the red shirt.
    Jason BARNARD, Rolling Stone, 20 Oct. 2025
  • Religion reporter Liam Adams has written extensively about denominations with Nashville ties, wrote authoritative news obituaries after the deaths of Focus on the Family founder James Dobson and Room In The Inn founder Father Charlie Strobel and has covered trends involving religion.
    Jennifer Brett, Nashville Tennessean, 19 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Peremptory.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/peremptory. Accessed 23 Oct. 2025.

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