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as in arrogant
having a feeling of superiority that shows itself in an overbearing attitude an imperious movie star who thinks she's some sort of goddess

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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Synonym Chooser

How is the word imperious distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of imperious are domineering, imperative, masterful, and peremptory. While all these words mean "tending to impose one's will on others," imperious implies a commanding nature or manner and often suggests arrogant assurance.

an imperious executive used to getting his own way

When would domineering be a good substitute for imperious?

The synonyms domineering and imperious are sometimes interchangeable, but domineering suggests an overbearing or arbitrary manner and an obstinate determination to enforce one's will.

children controlled by domineering parents

When could imperative be used to replace imperious?

While the synonyms imperative and imperious are close in meaning, imperative implies peremptoriness arising more from the urgency of the situation than from an inherent will to dominate.

an imperative appeal for assistance

In what contexts can masterful take the place of imperious?

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

her masterful personality soon dominated the movement

When is it sensible to use peremptory instead of imperious?

The words peremptory and imperious are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, peremptory implies an abrupt dictatorial manner coupled with an unwillingness to brook disobedience or dissent.

given a peremptory dismissal

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 imperious Slot’s team drew at Nottingham Forest and, on the weekend, 90 goalless minutes had passed at Brentford with a feeling that the imperious phase was finally at an end. Darren Richman, The Athletic, 20 Jan. 2025 Within this, there are other curiosities: Brentford finding a formula to net in the first minute of three consecutive games; Arsenal, long associated with artful offensive patterns, becoming imperious from corner kicks; Forest’s robust Chris Wood emerging as a bountiful goalscorer at the age of 33. Henry Flynn, Forbes, 28 Dec. 2024 Van Dijk is the best version of imperious, so of course captain confident makes it. Rory Smith, The Athletic, 25 Dec. 2024 Begging her guardian angel to rewind time and save her, Shepherd is by turns imperious, disbelieving, and frightened. Erin Strecker, IndieWire, 23 Dec. 2024 See All Example Sentences for imperious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for imperious
Adjective
  • Fragile post-conflict governments often struggle to maintain popular support, and without a strong commitment to justice and accountability, there is a real risk that authoritarian tendencies will resurface.
    PATRICK VINCK, Foreign Affairs, 4 Mar. 2025
  • The authoritarian manosphere is organized around a hierarchy topped by heroic male warriors.
    Robert B. Reich, Hartford Courant, 4 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • The actor has one daughter with ex-wife Melanie Griffith and has been dating his girlfriend Nicole Kimpel since 2014. 05 of 09 John Lithgow as Lord Farquaad The actor behind the arrogant Lord Farquaad boasts an impressive career that began decades before Shrek came out in 2001.
    Zoey Lyttle, People.com, 1 Mar. 2025
  • Many members of its board appeared arrogant in the face of questions from the prosecutor or one of the lawyers.
    Laia Cervelló Herrero, The Athletic, 23 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • Eversource is asking the court to overturn a 2023 PURA decision that the company claims was based on an arbitrary application of regulatory law and intended to reach a pre-determined decision to slash its rates.
    Edmund H. Mahony, Hartford Courant, 7 Mar. 2025
  • Many of those firings have prompted lawsuits parallel to Dellinger’s that challenge the legality of Trump bypassing language in statutes, including provisions that protect employees at independent agencies from politicized or arbitrary firings.
    Ashley Oliver, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 6 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • While industries across the board are struggling with labor shortages, the energy sector’s challenge is uniquely urgent.
    Brynn Cooksey, Forbes, 2 Mar. 2025
  • In 2025, Simone’s assessment of our despondent state of being is just as resonant, and the role of the artist is no less urgent.
    Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 1 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Here's Your Zodiac Love Compatibility, Based on Your Sign Sagittarius: Rachel Chu from Crazy Rich Asians To maintain her relationship, Rachel takes on a fight with her boyfriend’s domineering mother Eleanor.
    Lisa Stardust, People.com, 13 Feb. 2025
  • He’s had something of a habit of playing domineering fathers, doing so on Ugly Betty (2006–2007) and as Charles Widmore on Lost (2006–2010).
    Sezin Devi Koehler, EW.com, 8 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • For transition-age foster youth—those aging out of the foster care system—this challenge is even more acute.
    First Place for Youth, Forbes, 3 Mar. 2025
  • Saint Elizabeth in Chicago was also part of the deal, but Ascension previously announced plans to close the hospital, which sits on the city’s West Side, has 28 beds and treats acute mental illness.
    Lisa Schencker, Chicago Tribune, 1 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • LLMs don’t use E-E-A-T the same way as search engines, but authoritative sources still shape their responses.
    Nick Brown, Forbes, 4 Mar. 2025
  • His timely break into a skating lane and McTavish’s authoritative pass synergized perfectly to turn a rush without numbers into a go-ahead goal, Strome’s ninth.
    Andrew Knoll, Orange County Register, 28 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • As many writers have already warned, these moves represent a frightening step toward autocratic rule and an erosion of democratic values.
    Elaine Weiss, The Atlantic, 6 Mar. 2025
  • No one won an argument with autocratic studio bosses, and Scott’s movie career was over.
    Rick Kogan, Chicago Tribune, 4 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Imperious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/imperious. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.

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