imperious

[ im-peer-ee-uhs ]

adjective

1. domineering in a haughty manner; dictatorial; overbearing: an imperious person.

   an imperious manner;

   an imperious person.

   Synonyms: arrogant, despotic, tyrannical

   Antonyms: submissive

2. urgent; imperative:

   imperious need.

   Synonyms: necessary

   Antonyms: unnecessary

imperious

/ ɪmˈpɪərɪəs /

adjective

1. domineering; arrogant; overbearing
2. rare.
   urgent; imperative

Derived Forms

• imˈperiousness, noun
• imˈperiously, adverb

Other Words From

• im·pe·ri·ous·ly adverb
• im·pe·ri·ous·ness noun
• non·im·pe·ri·ous adjective
• non·im·pe·ri·ous·ness noun
• un·im·pe·ri·ous adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of imperious¹

First recorded in 1535–45; from Latin imperiōsus “commanding, tyrannical,” equivalent to imperi(um) imperium + -ōsus -ous

Word History and Origins

Origin of imperious¹

C16: from Latin imperiōsus from imperium command, power

Example Sentences

She excelled on stage and screen in Alan Bennett’s “The Lady in the Van,” playing a crotchety squatter with an imperious sense of entitlement.

From Los Angeles Times

She hit her stride with imperious characters and class-conscious snobs.

From Los Angeles Times

His imperious approach onto the green at the par-five 17th was matched by a sensational 46-foot putt that yielded only the second eagle of the final day on that penultimate hole.

From BBC

Despite Norris’ imperious win, the average points gain by which he needs to eat into Verstappen’s lead still went up slightly to 8.7 a race.

From BBC

"During the debate, Harris scrapped the time-worn, fruitless Democratic practice of treating Trump mainly as a dangerous, imperious liar. Instead, she cast him as insecure, tiresome, and small."

From Salon

Related Words

• arrogant
• autocratic
• dictatorial
• domineering
• exacting
• haughty
• high-handed
• tyrannical