peremptory
adjective
pe·remp·to·ry pə-ˈrem(p)-t(ə-)rē 
1
a
: putting an end to or precluding a right of action, debate, or delay
specifically : not providing an opportunity to show cause why one should not comply
a peremptory mandamus
b
: admitting of no contradiction
2
: expressive of urgency or command
a peremptory call
3
a
: characterized by often imperious or arrogant self-assurance
how insolent of late he is become, how proud, how peremptory
William Shakespeare
William Shakespeare b
: indicative of a peremptory attitude or nature : haughty
a peremptory tone
peremptory disregard of an objection
peremptorily
pə-ˈrem(p)-t(ə-)rə-lē
adverb -ˌrem(p)-ˈtȯr-ə-lē
peremptoriness
pə-ˈrem(p)-t(ə-)rē-nəs
noun 
Did you know?
Peremptory comes from Latin perimere, which means "to take entirely" or "to destroy." The prefix per- means "thoroughly," and emere means "to take." Implying the removal of one's option to disagree or contest something, peremptory stays close to its roots.
Synonyms
- authoritarian
- authoritative
- autocratic
- autocratical
- bossy
- despotic
- dictatorial
- domineering
- imperious
- masterful
- overbearing
- tyrannical
- tyrannic
- tyrannous
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
Her peremptory tone angered me. the governor's peremptory personal assistant began telling the crowd of reporters and photographers exactly where they had to stand
Recent Examples on the Web Instead, both strike-outs proposed by Nadell were peremptory challenges — meaning the prosecutor didn’t have to offer a rationale. oregonlive, 13 July 2022 On Wednesday, the defense and the prosecution are also expected to express peremptory challenges, which could alter the final jury. Lawrence Richard, Fox News, 29 June 2022 The defense wound up using all 10 of its peremptory challenges, eliminating candidates for any reason other than race or gender, while the prosecution used four. Terry Spencer, BostonGlobe.com, 29 June 2022 Both sides in each case will be able to use 10 peremptory challenges to excuse a potential juror without reason. Richard Wintonstaff Writer, Los Angeles Times, 13 June 2022 Each side will also get at least 10 peremptory strikes, where either can eliminate a candidate for any reason except race or gender. Terry Spencer, ajc, 4 Apr. 2022 Each side will also get at least 10 peremptory strikes, where either can eliminate a candidate for any reason except race or gender. NBC News, 4 Apr. 2022 In other words, bombs are blunter, more peremptory instruments. The New Yorker, 22 Mar. 2022 Miss Manners suggests that vendors — and people in the above categories who use peremptory tones or set unreasonable conditions — not wait by the phone, as such requests need not be honored. Washington Post, 28 June 2021 See More
oregonlive, 13 July 2022 On Wednesday, the defense and the prosecution are also expected to express peremptory challenges, which could alter the final jury. Lawrence Richard, Fox News, 29 June 2022 The defense wound up using all 10 of its peremptory challenges, eliminating candidates for any reason other than race or gender, while the prosecution used four. Terry Spencer, BostonGlobe.com, 29 June 2022 Both sides in each case will be able to use 10 peremptory challenges to excuse a potential juror without reason. Richard Wintonstaff Writer, Los Angeles Times, 13 June 2022 Each side will also get at least 10 peremptory strikes, where either can eliminate a candidate for any reason except race or gender. Terry Spencer, ajc, 4 Apr. 2022 Each side will also get at least 10 peremptory strikes, where either can eliminate a candidate for any reason except race or gender. NBC News, 4 Apr. 2022 In other words, bombs are blunter, more peremptory instruments. The New Yorker, 22 Mar. 2022 Miss Manners suggests that vendors — and people in the above categories who use peremptory tones or set unreasonable conditions — not wait by the phone, as such requests need not be honored. Washington Post, 28 June 2021 See More Word History
Etymology
Middle English peremptorie, from Anglo-French, from Late Latin & Latin; Late Latin peremptorius, from Latin, destructive, from perimere to take entirely, destroy, from per- thoroughly + emere to take — more at redeem
First Known Use
15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Phrases Containing peremptory
Legal Definition
peremptory 1 of 2
adjective
pe·remp·to·ry pə-ˈremp-tə-rē
1
: permitting no dispute, alternative, or delay
specifically : not providing an opportunity to show cause why one should not comply
when the right to require the performance of the act is clear and it is apparent that no valid excuse can be given for not performing it, a peremptory mandamus may be allowed Revised Statutes of Nebraska
Revised Statutes of Nebraska 2
: not requiring cause see also peremptory challenge at challenge
peremptory
2 of 2noun
plural peremptories
: peremptory challenge at challenge
peremptory
adjective
1
as in authoritarian
fond of ordering people around the governor's peremptory personal assistant began telling the crowd of reporters and photographers exactly where they had to stand Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- authoritarian
- domineering
- arrogant
- commanding
- authoritative
- imperious
- autocratic
- aggressive
- tyrannical
- dictatorial
- overbearing
- bossy
- despotic
- stern
- tyrannous
- tyrannic
- masterful
- controlling
- proud
- supercilious
- autocratical
- regimental
- haughty
- assumptive
- disdainful
- arbitrary
- superior
- imperial
- magisterial
- presumptuous
- important
- huffy
- uppish
- uppity
- dictating
- assertive
- pretentious
- high-handed
- overweening
- presuming
- self-asserting
- imperative
- lofty
- lordly
- directorial
- hifalutin
- pompous
- high-and-mighty
- highfalutin
- narcissistic
- conceited
- self-assertive
- high-hat
- vain
- toplofty
- omnipotent
- toploftical
- fastuous
- almighty
- all-powerful
- firm
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- modest
- humble
- meek
- amenable
- obedient
- unassuming
- tractable
- docile
- passive
- indecisive
- irresolute
- compliant
- submissive
- yielding
- acquiescent
- resigned
2
as in mandatory
forcing one's compliance or participation by or as if by law a peremptory summons to appear before the committee Synonyms & Similar Words
- mandatory
- compulsory
- incumbent
- required
- urgent
- necessary
- obligatory
- insistent
- nonelective
- requisite
- imperative
- needed
- persistent
- involuntary
- indispensable
- demanded
- pressing
- coercive
- enforced
- forced
- all-important
- essential
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- voluntary
- discretionary
- optional
- unnecessary
- elective
- unwanted
- unimportant
- insignificant
- inconsequential
- chosen
- dispensable
- unneeded
- nonessential
3
as in arrogant
having a feeling of superiority that shows itself in an overbearing attitude she had such a peremptory approach to running the club that people started to avoid her Synonyms & Similar Words
- arrogant
- cavalier
- superior
- supercilious
- bumptious
- assumptive
- imperious
- sniffy
- haughty
- domineering
- dominant
- important
- uppish
- huffy
- uppity
- presumptuous
- pompous
- masterful
- high-handed
- smug
- authoritarian
- pretentious
- presuming
- dominating
- impudent
- chesty
- self-assertive
- overweening
- toplofty
- magisterial
- self-asserting
- lordly
- hifalutin
- condescending
- pontifical
- high-and-mighty
- lofty
- patronizing
- bossy
- highfalutin
- disdainful
- huffish
- toploftical
- impertinent
- high-hat
- blusterous
- saucy
- stiff-necked
- bombastic
- swaggering
- proud
- boastful
- pontificating
- snobbish
- snooty
- cocky
- blustery
- snobby
- egocentric
- hubristic
- vainglorious
- narcissistic
- vain
- conceited
- egotistic
- self-complacent
- egoistic
- complacent
- uninhibited
- braggart
- bragging
- unreserved
- brash
- egotistical
- egoistical
- self-satisfied
- immodest
- self-flattering
- braggy
- self-conceited
- prideful
- extroverted
- stuck-up
- self-centered
- self-loving
- self-pleased
- orgulous
- forward
- self-applauding
- self-affected
- self-promoting
- extraverted
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- modest
- humble
- timid
- unpretentious
- diffident
- deferential
- subdued
- sheepish
- lowly
- bashful
- shy
- passive
- demure
- shrinking
- acquiescent
- unassertive
- unobtrusive
- meek
- mousy
- unaggressive
- unarrogant
- unassuming
- compliant
- introverted
- yielding
- submissive
- quiet
- cringing
- self-critical
- overmodest
- reserved
- self-doubting
- mousey
- retiring
- cowering
4
as in arbitrary
having or showing a tendency to force one's will on others without any regard to fairness or necessity a peremptory insistence that the staff wait on them first Synonyms & Similar Words
- arbitrary
- arrogant
- imperious
- authoritarian
- dictatorial
- unreasonable
- high-handed
- commanding
- unfair
- wilful
- inconsistent
- dominant
- domineering
- willful
- unjust
- demanding
- haughty
- capricious
- autocratic
- unequal
- imperative
- overbearing
- tyrannical
- presumptuous
- erratic
- prejudiced
- despotic
- totalitarian
- whimsical
- tyrannic
- inequitable
- partisan
- tyrannous
- biased
- mercurial
- unprincipled
- changeable
- masterful
- lordly
- autocratical
- unrealistic
- unscrupulous
- unethical
- unconscionable
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- dispassionate
- disinterested
- equitable
- reasonable
- impartial
- equal
- objective
- fair
- rational
- balanced
- unprejudiced
- nonpartisan
- just
- evenhanded
- moral
- understanding
- honorable
- ethical
- unimpeachable
- unbiased
- irreproachable
- principled
- law-abiding
Synonym Chooser
Some common synonyms of peremptory are domineering, imperative, imperious, and masterful. While all these words mean "tending to impose one's will on others," peremptory implies an abrupt dictatorial manner coupled with an unwillingness to brook disobedience or dissent.
given a peremptory dismissal
Although the words domineering and peremptory have much in common, domineering suggests an overbearing or arbitrary manner and an obstinate determination to enforce one's will.
children controlled by domineering parents
The words imperative and peremptory are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, imperative implies peremptoriness arising more from the urgency of the situation than from an inherent will to dominate.
an imperative appeal for assistance
While the synonyms imperious and peremptory are close in meaning, imperious implies a commanding nature or manner and often suggests arrogant assurance.
an imperious executive used to getting his own way
The words masterful and peremptory can be used in similar contexts, but masterful implies a strong personality and ability to act authoritatively.
her masterful personality soon dominated the movement