imperious

adjective

im·​pe·​ri·​ous im-ˈpir-ē-əs 

1

a

: marked by arrogant assurance : domineering

b

: befitting or characteristic of one of eminent rank or attainments : commanding, dominant

an imperious manner

2

: intensely compelling : urgent

the imperious problems of the new age

—J. F. Kennedy

imperiously adverb

imperiousness noun

Synonyms

• authoritarian
• authoritative
• autocratic
• autocratical
• bossy
• despotic
• dictatorial
• domineering
• masterful
• overbearing
• peremptory
• tyrannical
• tyrannic
• tyrannous

Choose the Right Synonym for imperious

masterful, domineering, imperious, peremptory, imperative mean tending to impose one's will on others.

masterful implies a strong personality and ability to act authoritatively.

her masterful personality soon dominated the movement

domineering suggests an overbearing or arbitrary manner and an obstinate determination to enforce one's will.

children controlled by domineering parents

imperious implies a commanding nature or manner and often suggests arrogant assurance.

an imperious executive used to getting his own way

peremptory implies an abrupt dictatorial manner coupled with an unwillingness to brook disobedience or dissent.

given a peremptory dismissal

imperative implies peremptoriness arising more from the urgency of the situation than from an inherent will to dominate.

an imperative appeal for assistance

Examples of imperious in a Sentence

an imperious little boy who liked to tell the other scouts what to do

an imperious movie star who thinks she's some sort of goddess

Recent Examples on the Web

City, imperious under Pep Guardiola for so long, imploded in the autumn and on Christmas Day, sat seventh. —Chris Weatherspoon, The Athletic, 19 Mar. 2025

In a minor act of indulgence, Lauren signs herself up for a commercials acting class overseen by the prickly and imperious Liz (Gaby Hoffmann, one of many faces familiar from Transparent). —Angie Han, The Hollywood Reporter, 12 Mar. 2025

The imperious striker has now become the fastest player to reach 100 goal involvements in the Premier League, surpassing the longstanding record held by Premier League icon Alan Shearer. —Thomas Schlachter, CNN, 16 Mar. 2025

Every performance feels right, with several Bond alums coming and going, including Pierce Brosnan as the imperious agency director. —Michael Phillips, Chicago Tribune, 13 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Latin imperiōsus "exercising authority, domineering," from imperium "authority over family members and slaves exercised by the head of a household, supreme administrative authority, dominion" + -ōsus -ous — more at empire

First Known Use

1529, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for imperious

• delirious
• mysterious
• cereus
• nereus
• serious
• sirius
• deleterious

Kids Definition

imperious

adjective

im·​pe·​ri·​ous im-ˈpir-ē-əs 

1

: behaving like someone who is a supreme ruler

2

: imperative entry 1 sense 2, urgent

the imperious problems of a new age

imperiously adverb

imperiousness noun