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
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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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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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
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 this one rush job, HB 1205, was especially dear to the governor’s authoritarian heart.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
24 May 2025
-
Panahi’s film, his first since being released from prison in 2023, is a direct assault on Iran’s authoritarian regime.—
Scott Roxborough,
HollywoodReporter,
24 May 2025
Adjective
-
Richard was known for being outspoken, if not arrogant, consistently rubbing his Tagi tribe the wrong way and offending some of them with his blatant display of nudity on the island.—
Nick Caruso,
TVLine,
27 May 2025
-
Multiple people described him to me as unpopular and arrogant.—
Amanda Chicago Lewis,
Harpers Magazine,
29 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Businesses now live in fear of retroactive rulings, arbitrary penalties and endless audits.—
Steve Forbes,
Forbes.com,
29 May 2025
-
The risks include wrongful detention, torture in detention, terrorism, kidnapping, arbitrary enforcement of local laws, crime, civil unrest, and poor health infrastructure.—
Nick Butler,
FOXNews.com,
27 May 2025
Adjective
-
This category is broad and urgent—people are dealing with stress, sleep disorders, focus issues, and more.—
Tanya Benedicto Klich,
Forbes.com,
25 May 2025
-
Here's why and what happened CT officials issue urgent plea for help stopping ‘a plague’ in state waterways.—
Staff Reports,
Hartford Courant,
24 May 2025
Adjective
-
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
-
The trial had revealed Blue Cross’ domineering behavior.—
T. Christian Miller,
ProPublica,
12 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
His official cause of death was acute hypoxic respiratory failure, which is a condition where the lungs aren't able to release enough oxygen into the bloodstream.—
Keith Langston,
People.com,
25 May 2025
-
Intensity in relationships involves seeking out acute, high-stimulation feelings that often stem from fear, anxiety or a desire to escape emotional numbness, not from genuine connection.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
24 May 2025
Adjective
-
Sharing these private details will be challenging, since authoritative Saturn and confusing Neptune will corner the sun over the next few days.—
Liz Simmons,
StyleCaster,
27 May 2025
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One 2022 study found that children raised with an authoritative parenting style were more likely to achieve academically.—
Madeline Holcombe,
CNN Money,
22 May 2025
Adjective
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The United States' chaotic autocratic lurch under President Donald Trump—in particular, its abandonment of Europe and Ukraine in favor of closer ties to Russia—has compelled European countries to get a lot more serious about their own defense.—
Tom Rogers,
MSNBC Newsweek,
21 May 2025
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Panahi uses this set-up to explore the ripple effects of autocratic abuse on several characters who don’t know each other, but are connected by the same persecutor.—
Jordan Mintzer,
HollywoodReporter,
20 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Imperious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/imperious. Accessed 3 Jun. 2025.
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