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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 As the protagonist/antihero, audiences meet everyone through his eyes (and imperious narration) — and in his view, most people are shallow and irritating, especially the residents of Madre Linda. Proma Khosla, IndieWire, 23 Apr. 2025 Also amusing is Fiona Glascott as Lady Violet, an old acquaintance of Sherlock’s who specializes officially in schooling young ladies like Clara to join British high society and unofficially in casting her imperious judgment everywhere. Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 15 Apr. 2025 As Kimberly Shaw, a mild-mannered resident doctor of Wilshire Memorial Hospital, Cross shared plenty of scenes with Wagner, who shows up in the third season as Peter Burns, the hospital's imperious chief of staff. EW.com, 9 Apr. 2025 And Palace, who are in imperious away form, will feel optimistic about their chances to at least progress to Wembley. Matt Woosnam, New York Times, 27 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for imperious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for imperious
Adjective
  • But then again, almost everything Trump does is right out of the authoritarian playbook.
    Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 8 June 2025
  • Any center of liberal and free thought from pop music to Ivy League universities is vulnerable to authoritarian impulses.
    Stephen Collinson, CNN Money, 7 June 2025
Adjective
  • There is something dangerously, provocatively arrogant about his glorified gang leader looks.
    Timothy Crouse, Rolling Stone, 9 June 2025
  • The exiled poet was criticized for his arrogant attempts to influence British and American foreign policy.
    Graham Robb, The Atlantic, 9 June 2025
Adjective
  • State lawmakers can and should repeal the arbitrary two-year rule.
    Sakinah Tillman, Baltimore Sun, 4 June 2025
  • Guidelines in the Puppy Protection Act would create arbitrary, one-size-fits-all requirements for dog breeding even though dogs are the most diverse species of land mammal, such as: — Mandating two meals daily.
    Sheila Goffe, Boston Herald, 3 June 2025
Adjective
  • Arsenal’s reticence to spend on development players is understandable — particularly in the case of last January, when there was also an urgent need for a first-team centre-forward.
    James McNicholas, New York Times, 6 June 2025
  • The appeals court said there is no urgent need for DOGE to access Social Security records in the interim.
    Nina Totenberg, NPR, 6 June 2025
Adjective
  • Carrie is described as a reimagining of the story of misfit high schooler Carrie White, who has spent her life in seclusion with her domineering mother.
    Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 2 June 2025
  • Randall is a rebellious new patient at a mental institution who does battle with Louise Fletcher’s domineering head nurse Mildred Ratched.
    Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 20 May 2025
Adjective
  • Exposure is linked to worsening symptoms in those with asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), but acute cardiovascular risks, including heart attacks and strokes, may be even more pronounced.
    Anna Skinner, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 June 2025
  • Timeline Expectations: The Long Road of Grief Normal grief timeline: Most young adults begin to experience some relief from acute grief symptoms within 6-12 months, though grief waves can continue for years.
    Charell G. Coleman, Forbes.com, 4 June 2025
Adjective
  • The most authoritative research on the risk to California was conducted in 2015, but little has changed in the past decade.
    Terry Collins, USA Today, 8 June 2025
  • In fact, their literature review suggests that many dog owners naturally fall into parenting patterns that largely mirror those of actual parents: permissive, authoritarian or authoritative.
    Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 6 June 2025
Adjective
  • While the parade honors the Army, some Democrats have accused Trump of using the anniversary as an excuse to mark his birthday, comparing the event to the military parades of autocratic regimes such as Russia and North Korea.
    Brendan Cole, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 June 2025
  • Sadly, an administration that is willing to respond with lethal force to the concerns of its citizenry clearly displays its determination to establish an autocratic state.
    Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 11 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Imperious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/imperious. Accessed 18 Jun. 2025.

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