imperious

  • 1Imperious — Im*pe ri*ous, a. [L. imperiosus: cf. F. imp[ e]rieux. See {Imperial}.] 1. Commanding; ascendant; imperial; lordly; majestic. [Obs.] A vast and imperious mind. Tilloison. [1913 Webster] Therefore, great lords, be, as your titles witness, Imperious …

    The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • 2imperious — index dictatorial, disdainful, dogmatic, influential, insolent, oppressive, orgulous, peremptory (absolute …

    Law dictionary

  • 3imperious — (adj.) 1540s, from L. imperiosus commanding, mighty, powerful, from imperium empire, command (see EMPIRE (Cf. empire)). Related: Imperiously …

    Etymology dictionary

  • 4imperious — domineering, *masterful, peremptory, imperative Analogous words: *dictatorial, authoritarian, magisterial: despotic, tyrannical, arbitrary, autocratic (see ABSOLUTE): lordly, overbearing (see PROUD) Antonyms: abject Contrasted words: obsequious,… …

    New Dictionary of Synonyms

  • 5imperious — [adj] bossy, overbearing arrogant, authoritative, autocratic, commanding, compulsatory, compulsory, despotic, dictatorial, domineering, exacting, haughty, high handed, imperative, imperial, mandatory, obligatory, oppressive, overweening,… …

    New thesaurus

  • 6imperious — ► ADJECTIVE ▪ arrogant and domineering. DERIVATIVES imperiously adverb imperiousness noun. ORIGIN Latin imperiosus, from imperium command, empire …

    English terms dictionary

  • 7imperious — [im pir′ē əs] adj. [L imperiosus < imperium, EMPIRE] 1. overbearing, arrogant, domineering, etc. 2. urgent; imperative SYN. MASTERFUL imperiously adv. imperiousness n …

    English World dictionary

  • 8imperious — imperiously, adv. imperiousness, n. /im pear ee euhs/, adj. 1. domineering in a haughty manner; dictatorial; overbearing: an imperious manner; an imperious person. 2. urgent; imperative: imperious need. [1535 45; < L imperiosus commanding,&#8230; …

    Universalium

  • 9imperious — [[t]ɪmpɪ͟əriəs[/t]] ADJ GRADED If you describe someone as imperious, you mean that they have a proud manner and expect to be obeyed. [WRITTEN] Her attitude may be imperious at times but that is more than compensated by her bravery... From across&#8230; …

    English dictionary

  • 10imperious — adjective Etymology: Latin imperiosus, from imperium Date: 1540 1. a. befitting or characteristic of one of eminent rank or attainments ; commanding, dominant < an imperious manner > b. marked by arrogant assurance ; domineering …

    New Collegiate Dictionary