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
J. F. Kennedy imperiously adverb
imperiousness noun
Synonyms
- authoritarian
- authoritative
- autocratic
- autocratical
- bossy
- despotic
- dictatorial
- domineering
- masterful
- overbearing
- peremptory
- tyrannical
- tyrannic
- tyrannous
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
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 While spy shots of the imperious hypercar have surfaced over the years, new footage points to a potential stab at setting a record at the infamous Nürburgring Nordschleife racetrack. Basem Wasef, Robb Report, 5 Aug. 2022 What that also shows is that Thomas Tuchel should have no fears about the adaptability of a man who has looked imperious at the back whether playing for Rafa Benitez, Sarri, Carlo Ancelotti, Gennaro Gattuso or Spalletti. Adam Digby, Forbes, 3 Aug. 2022 Real was imperious in the first leg against Chelsea. New York Times, 28 May 2022 Some of the doctors, like W. Earl Brown’s Ewing Cook, come across as slightly imperious, but hardly villainous. Daniel Fienberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 9 Aug. 2022 Strickland gets big laughs by having every character take their work very seriously, and Gwendoline Christie gives a splendid performance as the residency’s imperious overseer. David Sims, The Atlantic, 3 Aug. 2022 That introduces a separate plot involving a wealthy and demanding woman (Marcia Gay Harden in all her imperious glory) who is getting divorced and whose business Michael desperately wants. Brian Lowry, CNN, 29 July 2022 As if that was not exacting enough, England's imperious sweep through the group phase — scoring five goals against Northern Ireland and a dizzying eight against Norway — served to swell hopes and lift expectations. New York Times, 26 July 2022 Huppert is at her witheringly imperious best, more or less playing the French counterpart to Manville’s Cyril in Phantom Thread, which makes her eventual display of fragility all the more touching. David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 11 July 2022 See More
Basem Wasef, Robb Report, 5 Aug. 2022 What that also shows is that Thomas Tuchel should have no fears about the adaptability of a man who has looked imperious at the back whether playing for Rafa Benitez, Sarri, Carlo Ancelotti, Gennaro Gattuso or Spalletti. Adam Digby, Forbes, 3 Aug. 2022 Real was imperious in the first leg against Chelsea. New York Times, 28 May 2022 Some of the doctors, like W. Earl Brown’s Ewing Cook, come across as slightly imperious, but hardly villainous. Daniel Fienberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 9 Aug. 2022 Strickland gets big laughs by having every character take their work very seriously, and Gwendoline Christie gives a splendid performance as the residency’s imperious overseer. David Sims, The Atlantic, 3 Aug. 2022 That introduces a separate plot involving a wealthy and demanding woman (Marcia Gay Harden in all her imperious glory) who is getting divorced and whose business Michael desperately wants. Brian Lowry, CNN, 29 July 2022 As if that was not exacting enough, England's imperious sweep through the group phase — scoring five goals against Northern Ireland and a dizzying eight against Norway — served to swell hopes and lift expectations. New York Times, 26 July 2022 Huppert is at her witheringly imperious best, more or less playing the French counterpart to Manville’s Cyril in Phantom Thread, which makes her eventual display of fragility all the more touching. David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 11 July 2022 See More 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
imperious
adjective
1
as in domineering
fond of ordering people around an imperious little boy who liked to tell the other scouts what to do Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- domineering
- authoritarian
- arrogant
- autocratic
- despotic
- tyrannical
- overbearing
- aggressive
- authoritative
- bossy
- dictatorial
- commanding
- tyrannous
- peremptory
- tyrannic
- proud
- masterful
- haughty
- supercilious
- stern
- controlling
- disdainful
- autocratical
- uppity
- imperial
- uppish
- presumptuous
- superior
- pretentious
- important
- assumptive
- overweening
- huffy
- arbitrary
- regimental
- high-and-mighty
- dictating
- pompous
- lofty
- magisterial
- assertive
- high-handed
- narcissistic
- conceited
- lordly
- directorial
- highfalutin
- omnipotent
- self-asserting
- presuming
- hifalutin
- almighty
- vain
- imperative
- fastuous
- self-assertive
- high-hat
- toplofty
- all-powerful
- toploftical
- firm
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- humble
- meek
- modest
- unassuming
- docile
- obedient
- amenable
- tractable
- passive
- indecisive
- submissive
- irresolute
- compliant
- acquiescent
- yielding
- resigned
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
- arrogant
- cavalier
- domineering
- superior
- supercilious
- haughty
- bumptious
- dominant
- uppity
- pompous
- uppish
- important
- assumptive
- sniffy
- masterful
- presumptuous
- pretentious
- authoritarian
- smug
- peremptory
- huffy
- dominating
- high-handed
- overweening
- high-and-mighty
- chesty
- impudent
- self-assertive
- lofty
- presuming
- toplofty
- lordly
- bossy
- hifalutin
- huffish
- highfalutin
- disdainful
- self-asserting
- proud
- snobbish
- patronizing
- stiff-necked
- magisterial
- condescending
- vainglorious
- high-hat
- snooty
- saucy
- toploftical
- blusterous
- egocentric
- impertinent
- swaggering
- boastful
- hubristic
- pontifical
- cocky
- snobby
- narcissistic
- bombastic
- conceited
- egotistic
- egotistical
- vain
- egoistic
- pontificating
- blustery
- braggart
- uninhibited
- egoistical
- complacent
- prideful
- self-satisfied
- self-complacent
- self-conceited
- bragging
- brash
- self-centered
- immodest
- extroverted
- braggy
- stuck-up
- self-flattering
- unreserved
- self-affected
- self-applauding
- self-loving
- self-pleased
- self-promoting
- extraverted
- orgulous
- forward
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- humble
- modest
- lowly
- timid
- unpretentious
- diffident
- subdued
- sheepish
- bashful
- deferential
- demure
- shy
- passive
- meek
- mousy
- introverted
- acquiescent
- submissive
- unassertive
- unassuming
- shrinking
- unobtrusive
- unaggressive
- compliant
- unarrogant
- self-doubting
- quiet
- mousey
- overmodest
- yielding
- cringing
- self-critical
- cowering
- retiring
- reserved
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
- arrogant
- arbitrary
- domineering
- authoritarian
- dictatorial
- unreasonable
- dominant
- peremptory
- high-handed
- haughty
- inconsistent
- unfair
- wilful
- willful
- autocratic
- overbearing
- despotic
- commanding
- tyrannical
- capricious
- unjust
- presumptuous
- totalitarian
- demanding
- erratic
- tyrannous
- tyrannic
- mercurial
- unequal
- imperative
- whimsical
- unscrupulous
- unprincipled
- masterful
- partisan
- changeable
- inequitable
- prejudiced
- lordly
- unrealistic
- biased
- autocratical
- unconscionable
- unethical
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- disinterested
- dispassionate
- equitable
- equal
- impartial
- reasonable
- objective
- fair
- balanced
- rational
- just
- nonpartisan
- evenhanded
- moral
- unprejudiced
- honorable
- understanding
- ethical
- irreproachable
- unimpeachable
- unbiased
- principled
- law-abiding
4
as in urgent
needing immediate attention as war casualties mounted, the need for trained nurses became imperious Synonyms & Similar Words
- urgent
- acute
- exigent
- intense
- dire
- importunate
- compelling
- pressing
- critical
- imperative
- insistent
- emergent
- desperate
- necessitous
- instant
- extreme
- crying
- serious
- immediate
- clamant
- dangerous
- demanding
- overriding
- burning
- crucial
- precarious
- perilous
- hazardous
- severe
- unstable
- explosive
- grave
- vital
- life-or-death
- life-and-death
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- unimportant
- trivial
- noncritical
- negligible
- minor
- incidental
- nonurgent
- stable
- nonthreatening
- safe
- low-pressure
Synonym Chooser
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
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
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
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
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
- collegiate church
- collegiate Gothic
- collegiately
- collegiates
- collegienne
- collegium
- collegiums
- Collembola
- collembolae
- collembolan
- collembolans
- collembolas
- collembolous
- collenchyma
- collenchymas
- collenchymata
- collenchymatous
- collenchyme
- collencyte
- colleries
- Collery
- collet
- collet chuck
- colleted
- colleter