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

Other Word Forms

• domineeringly adverb
• domineeringness noun
• nondomineering adjective
• superdomineering adjective
• undomineering adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of domineering¹

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

Example Sentences

"Insiders" came to resent the domineering style of Arafat's "outsiders".

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Todd Marinovich, the test-tube quarterback with a domineering father whose promising football career was cut short by addiction, discusses his memoir.

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Men are born to be strong, domineering and intelligent, while women are fated to be weak, submissive and emotionally irrational.

Read more on Salon

"It's a very, very controlling and coercive and domineering tactic" which requires "wider awareness," he added.

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His domineering and abusive father encouraged his son to practise on toy musical instruments; by the age of eight, he was a consummate piano player and a regular in a local church choir.

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Related Words

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