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
Imagine a contemporary Lady Catherine de Bourgh in a Chanel suit, shouting demands from the balcony of her beautiful fourth-floor apartment and holding a maximally imperious court in her Wedgwood-blue living room.
—Sophie Brookover, Vulture, 4 Apr. 2024
His imperious coronavirus diplomacy is just the latest instance of China’s long-standing tradition of foreign policy opportunism and improvisation—only scaled up to fit the gaping hole left by the United States.
—Kurt M. Campbell, Foreign Affairs, 15 July 2020
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
See all Example Sentences for imperious 
Sophie Brookover, Vulture, 4 Apr. 2024
His imperious coronavirus diplomacy is just the latest instance of China’s long-standing tradition of foreign policy opportunism and improvisation—only scaled up to fit the gaping hole left by the United States.
—Kurt M. Campbell, Foreign Affairs, 15 July 2020
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
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 15 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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