imperious
[im-peer-ee-uh s]
- domineering in a haughty manner; dictatorial; overbearing: an imperious manner; an imperious person.
- urgent; imperative: imperious need.
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Origin of imperious
Synonyms
See more synonyms for imperious on Thesaurus.com1. tyrannical, despotic, arrogant. 2. necessary.
Antonyms
1. submissive. 2. unnecessary.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for imperiousness
Contemporary Examples
Eventually, that imperiousness helped to alienate her own party, which forced her to step down in 1990.
There is an imperiousness about Romney that comes across when he is challenged.
Historical Examples
There was an imperiousness in the lawyer's tone which was almost irresistible.
Cousin HenryAnthony Trollope
A life of indolence and luxury had bred a certain air of imperiousness in her.
Colorado JimGeorge Goodchild
And her eyes searched his with a certain boldness and imperiousness of gaze.
The History of Sir Richard CalmadyLucas Malet
I may, perhaps, be producing an unfair impression of imperiousness and insolence.
Pioneers of ScienceOliver Lodge
By the imperiousness of her gesture and her uplifted head she swept them out before her.
The Dust FlowerBasil King
imperious
- domineering; arrogant; overbearing
- rare urgent; imperative
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Word Origin
C16: from Latin imperiōsus from imperium command, power
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Word Origin and History for imperiousness
imperious
adj.
1540s, from Latin imperiosus "commanding, mighty, powerful," from imperium "empire, command" (see empire). Related: Imperiously.
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper