peremptory

[puh-remp-tuh-ree, per-uhmp-tawr-ee, -tohr-ee]

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR peremptory ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

leaving no opportunity for denial or refusal; imperative: a peremptory command.

imperious or dictatorial.

positive or assertive in speech, tone, manner, etc.

Law.

that precludes or does not admit of debate, question, etc.: a peremptory edict.
decisive or final.
in which a command is absolute and unconditional: a peremptory writ.

Origin of peremptory

1505–15; < Latin peremptōrius final, decisive, literally, deadly, destructive (derivative of perimere to take away fully, destroy, slay), equivalent to per- per- + em-, base of emere to buy, orig. to take + -tōrius -tory¹, with intrusive p

Related formsper·emp·to·ri·ly, adverbper·emp·to·ri·ness, nouno·ver·per·emp·to·ri·ly, adverbo·ver·per·emp·to·ri·ly·ness, nouno·ver·per·emp·to·ry, adjectiveun·per·emp·to·ri·ly, adverbun·per·emp·to·ri·ness, nounun·per·emp·to·ry, adjective

Can be confusedperemptory preemptive

Synonyms for peremptory

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR peremptory ON THESAURUS.COM

2. arbitrary, dogmatic, domineering.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Related Words for peremptorily

forthwith, swiftly, promptly, arbitrarily, immediately, readily, speedily, expeditiously, peremptorily

Examples from the Web for peremptorily

Historical Examples of peremptorily

Peremptorily I dismissed these harassing and frightful doubts.
The Room in the Dragon Volant
J. Sheridan LeFanu
We reached the Porta Fodesta, and peremptorily bade the guard to open for us.
The Strolling Saint
Raphael Sabatini
She waved him peremptorily, almost contemptuously, into silence.
The Sea-Hawk
Raphael Sabatini
"Citoyenne, I am waiting for you to alight," he said peremptorily.
The Trampling of the Lilies
Rafael Sabatini
"I will not be tormented with these requests, Parkes," said he, peremptorily.
Davenport Dunn, Volume 2 (of 2)
Charles James Lever

British Dictionary definitions for peremptorily

peremptory

adjective

urgent or commandinga peremptory ring on the bell

not able to be remitted or debated; decisive

positive or assured in speech, manner, etc; dogmatic

law

admitting of no denial or contradiction; precluding debate
obligatory rather than permissive

Derived Formsperemptorily, adverbperemptoriness, noun

Word Origin for peremptory

C16: from Anglo-Norman peremptorie, from Latin peremptōrius decisive, from perimere to take away completely, from per- (intensive) + emere to take

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for peremptorily

peremptory

adj.

"decisive," mid-15c., legal term, from Anglo-French peremptorie, from Middle French peremtoire, from Latin peremptorius "destructive, decisive, final," from peremptor "destroyer," from perimpere "destroy, cut off," from per- "away entirely, to destruction" (see per) + emere "to take" (see exempt (adj.)). Of persons or their words, "certain, assured, brooking no debate," 1580s. Related: Peremptorily.