imperious

[im-peer-ee-uh s] /ɪmˈpɪər i əs/

adjective

domineering in a haughty manner; dictatorial; overbearing:

an imperious manner; an imperious person.

urgent; imperative:

imperious need.

Origin

1535-45; < Latin imperiōsus commanding, tyrannical, equivalent to imperi(um) imperium + -ōsus -ous

Related forms

imperiously, adverb

imperiousness, noun

nonimperious, adjective

nonimperiously, adverb

nonimperiousness, noun

unimperious, adjective

unimperiously, adverb

Can be confused

Synonyms

1. tyrannical, despotic, arrogant. 2. necessary.

Antonyms

1. submissive. 2. unnecessary.

Examples from the web for imperious

One element of that style was his imperious sense of command.
He would fain beg off from the acquisition, and shake the touch of the tangible from his imperious wings.
The emperor at length resolved no longer to brook his imperious behaviour, and bear with his insolence.
As she rose up the ranks, she had become increasingly imperious.
Many administrators routinely send imperious, ineffective memoranda without realizing how their messages sound.
No increase of imperious coverage with the expansion there is actually a decrease.

British Dictionary definitions for imperious

/ɪmˈpɪərɪəs/

adjective

domineering; arrogant; overbearing

(rare) urgent; imperative

Derived Forms

imperiously, adverb
imperiousness, noun

Word Origin

C16: from Latin imperiōsus from imperium command, power

Word Origin and History for imperious

adj.

1540s, from Latin imperiosus "commanding, mighty, powerful," from imperium "empire, command" (see empire). Related: Imperiously.