imperious
adjective
im·pe·ri·ous
im-ˈpir-ē-əs 
1
a
: marked by arrogant assurance : domineering
b
: befitting or characteristic of one of eminent rank or attainments : commanding, dominant
an imperious manner
2
: intensely compelling : urgent
the imperious problems of the new age—
J. F. Kennedy
J. F. Kennedy
imperiously
adverb
imperiousness
noun
Synonyms
Examples of imperious in a Sentence
an imperious little boy who liked to tell the other scouts what to do
an imperious movie star who thinks she's some sort of goddess
Recent Examples on the Web
The iconic staircase walk isn’t so much an imperious return as a dash toward old friends.
—Matthew J. Palm, Orlando Sentinel, 22 June 2024
Speaking of rich people, Jennifer Jason Leigh plays Dot’s imperious mother-in-law, the millionaire debt collection mogul Lorraine.
—Hugh Hart, Los Angeles Times, 18 June 2024
The imperious expression of an elderly gentleman, so typical of these kinds of paintings, can go a long way to making a room feel layered and lived-in.
—Sharon Greenthal, Better Homes & Gardens, 17 June 2024
The 21-time Oscar nominee – and arguably the best to ever do it – weaves a vulnerability into her imperious role as Thatcher rises from a lower-class outsider to ruler of the country during the tumultuous 1980s.
—Brian Truitt, USA TODAY, 11 Mar. 2024
See all Example Sentences for imperious 
Matthew J. Palm, Orlando Sentinel, 22 June 2024
Speaking of rich people, Jennifer Jason Leigh plays Dot’s imperious mother-in-law, the millionaire debt collection mogul Lorraine.
—Hugh Hart, Los Angeles Times, 18 June 2024
The imperious expression of an elderly gentleman, so typical of these kinds of paintings, can go a long way to making a room feel layered and lived-in.
—Sharon Greenthal, Better Homes & Gardens, 17 June 2024
The 21-time Oscar nominee – and arguably the best to ever do it – weaves a vulnerability into her imperious role as Thatcher rises from a lower-class outsider to ruler of the country during the tumultuous 1980s.
—Brian Truitt, USA TODAY, 11 Mar. 2024
See all Example Sentences for imperious
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'imperious.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Imperious.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/imperious. Accessed 4 Jul. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
imperious
adjective
im·pe·ri·ous
im-ˈpir-ē-əs
1
: behaving like someone who is a supreme ruler
2
: imperative entry 1 sense 2, urgent
the imperious problems of a new age
imperiously
adverb
imperiousness
noun
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