peremptory

American  

[puh-remp-tuh-ree] / pəˈrɛmp tə ri /

adjective

1. leaving no opportunity for denial or refusal; imperative.

   a peremptory command.

2. imperious or dictatorial.

   Synonyms:

   domineering, dogmatic, arbitrary

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

4. Law.

   1. that precludes or does not admit of debate, question, etc..

      a peremptory edict.

   2. decisive or final.

   3. in which a command is absolute and unconditional.

      a peremptory writ.

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peremptory British  

/ pəˈrɛmptərɪ /

adjective

1. urgent or commanding

   a peremptory ring on the bell

2. not able to be remitted or debated; decisive

3. positive or assured in speech, manner, etc; dogmatic

4. law

   1. admitting of no denial or contradiction; precluding debate

   2. obligatory rather than permissive

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Usage

What does peremptory mean? Peremptory describes having no room for denial or refusal, as in The CEO’s peremptory remarks ended all discussion on the sale of the company. When it refers to a person’s manner, peremptory means authoritative or demanding, as in Kayla’s peremptory look always stopped her children from arguing with her. Peremptory can also describe speech or manner as assertive, as in When you present your idea to the committee, be confident and peremptory. In law, peremptory can describe something as final or definite. For example, a peremptory trial date means that the trial is happening on that date and that you can’t delay it any further. In law, peremptory can also mean absolute and unconditional, as with a formal order (writ). Be careful not to confuse peremptory with preemptory. Preemptory relates to doing something before someone else. A preemptory attack, for example, would be an attack made on the enemy before they can make one on you. Example: The boss was known for making frequent and peremptory commands that no one dared disobey.

Other Word Forms

• overperemptoriness
  noun
• peremptoriness
  noun
• unperemptoriness
  noun
• overperemptory
  adjective
• unperemptory
  adjective
• peremptorily
  adverb

Etymology

Origin of peremptory

First recorded in 1505–15; from 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,” originally “to take” + -tōrius -tory ¹, with intrusive p

Explanation

Peremptory comments are like orders. If you say something in a peremptory manner, you want people to stop what they’re doing and do what you say. Peremptory comments put an end to a discussion, and that’s final! The word peremptory comes from the Latin peremptorius for “decisive, final.” Trace it further and find that peremptor means "destroyer," from perimpere for "destroy, cut off.” Basically, peremptory commands destroy the conversation. They are given with an air of authority, and they are often barked. In the courtroom, peremptory orders are not open to appeal; they’re final. Outside of the courtroom, a peremptory manner is just plain rude.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

peremptory

"It is particularly painful to hear peremptory judgments from people who have never issued combat orders, never taken responsibility for the lives of personnel," commander Oleg Apostol said.

From Barron's ● Jul. 20, 2026

“Don’t tell me ‘never,’” Graham laments, before bringing the meeting to a close with a gently peremptory “Do better.”

From Los Angeles Times ● May 1, 2026

He also said that there was “nothing here … that would any way bias me,” but he was eventually struck by the prosecution with a peremptory challenge.

From Slate ● Apr. 18, 2024

To save a peremptory challenge, the prosecutor might ask the judge to remove that potential juror for expressing doubt about his ability to follow the law.

From Salon ● Apr. 15, 2024

The chaplain walked toward the exit gingerly, expecting at any instant to be ordered back by a peremptory voice or halted in his tracks by a heavy blow on the shoulder or the head.

From "Catch-22" by Joseph Heller