Vocabulary

im·pe·ri·ous

im·pe·ri·ous

\im-ˈpir-ē-əs\

adjective

: having or showing the proud andunpleasant attitude of someone who givesorders and expects other people to obeythem

Full Definition

1 a : befitting or characteristic of one ofeminent rank or attainments : commanding,dominant <an imperious manner>
b : marked by arrogant assurance :domineering2 : intensely compelling : urgent <theimperious problems of the new age - J. F.Kennedy>

synonyms see masterful

im·pe·ri·ous·ly adverbim·pe·ri·ous·ness noun

Examples

an imperious little boy who liked to tell theother scouts what to doan imperious movie star who thinks she'ssome sort of goddessan office administrator with an imperiousmanner that really grates on people

Origin: Latin imperiosus, from imperium.

First use: 1540

Synonyms: authoritarian, authoritative,autocratic (also autocratical), despotic,dictatorial, domineering, bossy, masterful,overbearing, peremptory, tyrannical (alsotyrannic), tyrannous

Antonyms: humble, lowly, modest,unarrogant, unpretentious