1
2
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

3
4

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 That is a big part of it but a team that has been imperious for so long shouldn’t capitulate like this because one player is out. Joe Prince-Wright, Nbc Sports, NBC News, 1 Dec. 2024 Van Dijk was largely imperious for Liverpool last season, embracing the captaincy role he was given by Jurgen Klopp in the summer, delivering standout performances at big moments — none more than his match-winning turn in the Carabao Cup final. Simon Hughes, The Athletic, 1 July 2024 The oil is beautifully fragranced with jasmine, mandarin, and imperious amber and is also highly nourishing due to its formulation—containing sesame, apricot, and coconut oils. Laia Farran Graves, Forbes, 28 Nov. 2024 Arsenal saw two of their talismanic players — Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard — produce imperious performances at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday. Paul Taylor, The Athletic, 24 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for imperious 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for imperious
Adjective
  • Over the past decade, during which the authoritarian Law and Justice party has ruled in Poland, the Centre has served as a staunch defender of independent research.
    Natalia Romik / Madę by History, TIME, 27 Jan. 2025
  • In this paradigm, the ideal worker is less like a corporate ally or a trusted collaborator and more like a subject of an authoritarian regime.
    Anna Wiener, The New Yorker, 27 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • Julie Bowen and Christopher McDonald return as love interest Virginia Venit and arrogant rival Shooter McGavin, respectively, and the cast includes rookies like Bad Bunny, Travis Kelce and pro wrestler Maxwell Jacob Friedman.
    Brian Truitt, USA TODAY, 17 Jan. 2025
  • Those include genial second-year resident Dr. King (Taylor Dearden), arrogant intern Santos (Isa Briones), and doe-eyed med students Javadi (Shabana Azeez) and Whittaker (Gerran Howell).
    Ryan Schwartz, TVLine, 9 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • To Danes and pretty much anyone else who makes plans, signs treaties, or creates long-term strategies using rational arguments, this way of making policy feels arbitrary, pointless, even surreal.
    Anne Applebaum, The Atlantic, 18 Jan. 2025
  • This is a strong stand for the First Amendment and against arbitrary censorship.
    Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA TODAY, 17 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • For example, any urgent messages regarding H5N1 bird flu, which is spreading to people in the U.S., would be delayed.
    Evan Moore, Charlotte Observer, 24 Jan. 2025
  • More than 90% of Gazans are homeless, according to the U.N., and there is an urgent need for tents and other shelters.
    Ghada Abdulfattah, The Christian Science Monitor, 24 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • The stress of being a loyal husband and father while toiling tirelessly at Spacely Space Sprockets – headed by a domineering man with a Napoleon complex – seems to float away as the zooming saucer-like aero cars with large bubble roofs leave behind popcorn-like residue from fuel pellets and radium.
    Natasha Gural, Forbes, 6 Jan. 2025
  • The voters might want to cash in their IOU here, but something tells me the Globes have one truly trashy TV pick in them for this year and will get their Ryan Murphy on with a win for Javier Bardem as the domineering Menendez patriarch.
    Nate Jones, Vulture, 3 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • Hot flashes are sudden and intense feelings of heat - heat that is especially acute over the neck, chest, and face, explains Dr. Ruta Nonacs, a perinatal and reproductive psychiatrist at Massachusetts General Hospital and an instructor at Harvard Medical School.
    Daryl Austin, USA TODAY, 24 Jan. 2025
  • However, medications do not help reduce symptoms of acute stress or prevent acute stress from developing into PTSD.
    Laura Schober, Health, 23 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • Modern viewers have short-attention spans and the ones who still watch broadcast TV still gravitate to an authoritative solo figure who talks to them about politics, natural disasters, overseas drama and even popular culture.
    Brian Steinberg, Variety, 27 Jan. 2025
  • But this information is not revealed through title cards or authoritative talking heads.
    Esther Zuckerman, IndieWire, 25 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • For instance, a study examining various leadership styles found that transformational leadership positively correlates with enhanced organizational performance, while transactional and autocratic styles may have less favorable effects.
    Scott Hutcheson, Forbes, 17 Jan. 2025
  • The other is going to build authoritarian, autocratic AI.
    Micah McCartney, Newsweek, 16 Jan. 2025

Thesaurus Entries Near imperious

Cite this Entry

“Imperious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/imperious. Accessed 1 Feb. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on imperious

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!