Definitions
from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.
- adjective Arrogantly domineering or overbearing. synonym: dictatorial.
- adjective Urgent; pressing.
- adjective Obsolete Regal; imperial.
from The Century Dictionary.
- l. Imperial.
- Of a domineering character or quality; dictatorial; overbearing: as, an imperious tyrant or temper.
- Of an urgent or pressing nature; overmastering; compulsory; imperative: as, imperious circumstances; an imperious necessity.
- Synonyms Authoritative, Dogmatic, etc. (see
magisterial ), tyrannical, despotic, wilful, determined. - 2 and
- 3. Im. perious, Imperative. Imperious applies to the spirit or manner of the person ruling or giving a command, and of rule in general; imperative, to the nature of a command. An imperious person is determined to have his will obeyed; imperious rule is characterized by the haughty, overbearing, and determined nature of the ruler. An imperative command is absolute, express, peremptory, and not to be questioned or evaded. Imperative is not properly applicable to persons.
from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English.
- adjective obsolete Commanding; ascendant; imperial; lordly; majestic.
- adjective Haughty; arrogant; overbearing
- adjective Imperative; urgent; compelling.
from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.
- adjective
Domineering ,arrogant , oroverbearing . - adjective
Urgent . - adjective obsolete
Imperial orregal .
from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.
- adjective having or showing arrogant superiority to and disdain of those one views as unworthy
Etymologies
from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 4th Edition
from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License
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Examples
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Mrs. Prendergast looked across at Eva, her expression imperious.
Winter Bloom Tara Heavey 2010
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She was again imperious, ran the dicussions like a martinet, bristled when one Smith student said she hadn't read the books, but had seen the MP movie.
Never Be Cross or Cruel Roger Sutton 2005
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Throughout his time at the company, its stock remained stagnant under what was described as his imperious leadership and "deficient strategy, operations, capital allocation, and governance."
Leo W. Gerard: The Three TNT Truck Drivers and Bush's War on Labor 2008
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Such a look is best described as imperious, although one less reserved than I but perhaps more potently metaphorical would say that she simply looked a hole through you, seeing beyond you as if you were not there at all.
From the Housetops George Barr McCutcheon 1897
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He chuckled and grinned with a fierce, savage sense of humour, while he recalled the imperious manner in which Mr. Ryfe had taken the initiative in their joint proceedings; as if they originated in his own invention, were ordered solely for his own convenience; and the tone of authority in which that gentleman had warned him not to be late.
M. or N. "Similia similibus curantur." G.J. Whyte-Melville 1849
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- Rolling Stones guitarist Keith Richards says in his new autobiography that Mick Jagger became unbearable over the years and reveals he also calls the imperious lead singer "Your Majesty" and "Brenda."
Reuters: Top News 2010
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John Luther (Idris Elba aka the imperious Stringer Bell from The Wire) knows the identity of the killer from the beginning - he just has to prove it.
Telegraph.co.uk: news, business, sport, the Daily Telegraph newspaper, Sunday Telegraph 2010
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Jagger became unbearable over the years and reveals he also calls the imperious lead singer
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Our citizens should be free to express their political views without expecting Congress to act as a kind of imperious censor or arbiter of what is acceptable, intelligent or in good taste.
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At few points in U.S. history, prior to the end of the Cold War, have we adopted the kind of imperious attitude toward other nations that has characterized our international relations in the 21st century.
Gary Hart: Letter to Democrats on U.S.-Russia Relationship 2008
thinkcharlene commented on the word imperious
Will & Grace - Season 1, Episode 12 - "My Fair Maid-y"
August 23, 2007
super-logos commented on the word imperious
I love this word. I love anything with a strong Latin base.
August 14, 2008