domineering

[ dom-uh-neer-ing ]

adjective

1. inclined to rule arbitrarily or despotically; overbearing; tyrannical:

   domineering parents.

   Synonyms: oppressive, despotic, arrogant

domineering

/ ˌdɒmɪˈnɪərɪŋ /

adjective

1. acting with or showing arrogance or tyranny; imperious

Derived Forms

• ˌdomiˈneeringness, noun
• ˌdomiˈneeringly, adverb

Other Words From

• domi·neering·ly adverb
• domi·neering·ness noun
• nondom·i·neering adjective
• super·domi·neering adjective
• undom·i·neering adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of domineering¹

First recorded in 1580–90; domineer + -ing ²

Example Sentences

It's reasonable to fear that the risk is rising, after the election of an openly misogynist president who creates a permission structure for other men to be more domineering.

From Salon

I honestly cannot tell you what exactly was my justification for maintaining a Twitter/X presence, even as I explored other social media outfits and publicly acknowledged that Musk’s regime was repelling masses of tweeters, boosting easily debunkable disinformation, shedding all of X’s remaining utility for journalists, bullying transgender users, spreading straight-up white-supremacist rhetoric, and influencing CEOs in every other field to become as domineering and unapologetic as Musk is, whatever the backlash.

From Slate

Times coverage as a “high-energy, fast-moving arts impresario” as well as “a restlessly domineering visionary and brilliant fundraiser,” Fitzpatrick was said to have “quickly stirred things up” at CalArts with “his trademark combination of bluntness and idealism.”

From Los Angeles Times

A manic episode was “intrusive, domineering, and demanding,” according to the DSM-III.

From Slate

He was among the founding members of the hit-making Jackson 5, which came together in the 1960s under the tutelage of domineering patriarch Joe Jackson, then caught the eye of Motown Records founder Berry Gordy Jr. After being introduced to the nation by Diana Ross, they put forth the beloved “bubblegum soul” singles “ABC,” “I Want You Back” and “I’ll Be There.”

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• arrogant
• autocratic
• bossy
• dictatorial
• imperious
• overbearing
• tyrannical