1
as in authoritarian
fond of ordering people around
an imperious little boy who liked to tell the other scouts what to do
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
as in arbitrary
having or showing a tendency to force one's will on others without any regard to fairness or necessity
an office administrator with an imperious manner that really grates on people
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in urgent
needing immediate attention
as war casualties mounted, the need for trained nurses became imperious
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of imperious
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
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
See All Example Sentences for imperious
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
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
See All Example Sentences for imperious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for imperious
Adjective
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But by ceding global leadership to authoritarian China, Trump is creating a world that will almost certainly be hostile to the United States, its prosperity, and its people.—
Michael Schuman,
The Atlantic,
19 Feb. 2025
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My Favourite Cake has incurred the wrath of Iran’s authoritarian Islamic Republic regime due to the fact that Farhadpour is shown without a headscarf, while her character is also seen seeking companionship with an equally lonely widower and drinking wine with him.—
Melanie Goodfellow,
Deadline,
19 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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According to Packer, several surefire ways to ensure success start here: Be arrogant!—
Dominique Fluker,
Essence,
17 Feb. 2025
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In 1254, King Edward I and Queen Eleanor of Castile were married at a very young age, and although Edward had a reputation for being arrogant and quarrelsome, the pair eventually fell deeply in love.—
Gulnaz Khan,
AFAR Media,
13 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Anyone who’s ever thrown a pitch or swung a bat knows that the umpire decides in the end — and those decisions have felt arbitrary and highly personal at times.—
Keith O'Brien,
Rolling Stone,
23 Feb. 2025
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Misinformation surrounding the new law has led to a resurgence of the narrative that white South Africans—especially farmers—are facing an orchestrated campaign of genocide through arbitrary land grabs.—
Josh Hammer,
Newsweek,
14 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Kevin Lamarque/Reuters A federal judge in Washington Monday appeared inclined to deny an urgent request to temporarily block Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency from firing employees or accessing sensitive records at half dozen federal departments.—
Mike Levine,
ABC News,
17 Feb. 2025
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Despite differing political approaches, one thing is clear: New Mexico is facing an urgent crisis, and leaders across the political spectrum will need to find common ground to prevent further loss of life while navigating around Trump's plans to carry out large-scale mass deportations.—
Josh Hammer,
Newsweek,
17 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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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
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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
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Even against the background of the L.A. carnage, Australia’s experience is undeniably more acute.—
Charlie Campbell / Melbourne and Canberra,
TIME,
19 Feb. 2025
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According to the medical journal The Lancet, polymicrobial infections are acute and chronic diseases caused by a combination of viruses, bacteria, fungi and parasites.—
Greta Cross,
USA TODAY,
17 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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This was the sort of authoritative result that proves Missouri could make some noise come March.—
Brendan Marks,
The Athletic,
21 Feb. 2025
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Isbell’s authoritative vocal performance also highlighted his savvy wordplay and observations, tools that reinforced his music’s tight links with descriptive language and honest perspective.—
Bob Gendron,
Chicago Tribune,
16 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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European leaders are aghast at America’s autocratic lurch.—
David Axe,
Forbes,
24 Feb. 2025
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Image The years since, through the first Trump presidency, the Jan. 6 riot, the impeachments and autocratic rhetoric, have not appreciably changed Michaels’s approach to political sketches.—
Maureen Dowd,
New York Times,
14 Feb. 2025
Articles Related to imperious
Cite this Entry
“Imperious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/imperious. Accessed 4 Mar. 2025.
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