imperious
Americanadjective
-
domineering in a haughty manner; dictatorial; overbearing: an imperious person.
an imperious manner;
an imperious person.
- Synonyms:
- arrogant, despotic, tyrannical
- Antonyms:
- submissive
-
imperious need.
- Synonyms:
- necessary
- Antonyms:
- unnecessary
adjective
-
domineering; arrogant; overbearing
-
rare urgent; imperative
Other Word Forms
- imperiously adverb
- imperiousness noun
- nonimperious adjective
- nonimperiousness noun
- unimperious adjective
Etymology
Origin of imperious
First recorded in 1535–45; from Latin imperiōsus “commanding, tyrannical,” equivalent to imperi(um) imperium + -ōsus -ous
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
However, it was Sinner who edged the tight moments on Sunday, helped by his imperious serve.
From BBC
Ireland were blown away by France, sneaked home against Italy, were utterly imperious against England and then battled to a win against Wales.
From BBC
The Scots landed seven scores and a half century of points against the previously imperious but now seriously beleaguered French.
From BBC
Russell had looked the most likely to deliver pole all weekend and he was imperious all session.
From BBC
He was in imperious form all season, winning 25 races, including sprints.
From Barron's
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
