imperiously

[ im-peer-ee-uhs-lee ]

adverb

1. in a domineering or haughty manner:

   She held out her hand imperiously, but the messenger did not immediately hand over the letter.

2. in an imperative way; urgently:

   The need to be accepted can be felt as imperiously as the needs for food, clothing, and shelter.

Other Words From

• non·im·pe·ri·ous·ly adverb
• un·im·pe·ri·ous·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of imperiously¹

imperious ( def ) + -ly

Example Sentences

Some who worked with Stenger said he could be imperious, clashing at times with other staffers in part because he focused intensely on security rather than the office’s other priorities.

From Washington Post

There is something imperiously subversive about National Gallery.

From The Daily Beast

At the same time he imperiously insisted on the submission of such Scots as had not yet joined him.

From Project Gutenberg

She stamped her foot prettily, imperiously, vexed at my refusal to go out of that weird place the way I had entered.

From Project Gutenberg

"Put on these clothes at once," she said imperiously, knowing nothing of the volcanoes beneath the surface.

From Project Gutenberg

He started forward, but Ollie called imperiously, "Hold on there a minute, I want to say something to you first."

From Project Gutenberg

The Malay bent his head from above downwards, and disentangling his right hand from his shawl, he pointed imperiously to the door.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• compellingly
• eagerly
• earnestly
• frantically
• hastily
• vigorously