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imperious
Use
Imperious
in a sentence
im·pe·ri·ous
/
ɪmˈpɪər
i
əs
/
Show Spelled
[
im-
peer
-ee-
uh
s
]
Show IPA
adjective
1.
domineering in a haughty manner; dictatorial; overbearing:
an imperious manner; an imperious person.
2.
urgent; imperative:
imperious need.
Origin:
1535–45;
<
Latin
imperiōsus
commanding, tyrannical, equivalent to
imperi
(
um
)
imperium
+
-ōsus
-ous
Related forms
im·pe·ri·ous·ly,
adverb
im·pe·ri·ous·ness,
noun
non·im·pe·ri·ous,
adjective
non·im·pe·ri·ous·ly,
adverb
non·im·pe·ri·ous·ness,
noun
un·im·pe·ri·ous,
adjective
un·im·pe·ri·ous·ly,
adverb
Can be confused:
imperative
,
imperial
,
imperious.
Synonyms
1.
tyrannical, despotic, arrogant.
2.
necessary.
Antonyms
1.
submissive.
2.
unnecessary.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
Cite This Source
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imperious
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00:10
Imperious
is a GRE word you need to know.
So is
prodigal
. Does it mean:
So is
assay
. Does it mean:
So is
precarious
. Does it mean:
wastefully or recklessly extravagant:
a bitter, sharply abusive denunciation, attack, or criticism:
lasting a very short time; short-lived
to examine or analyze:
Dependent on circumstances beyond one'ss control; uncertain; unstable; insecure:
To foretell.
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Collins
World English Dictionary
imperious
(ɪmˈpɪərɪəs)
—
adj
1.
domineering; arrogant; overbearing
2.
rare
urgent; imperative
[C16: from Latin
imperiōsus
from
imperium
command, power]
im'periously
—
adv
im'periousness
—
n
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
Cite This Source
Etymonline
Word Origin & History
imperious
1540s, from L. imperiosus "commanding, mighty, powerful," from imperium "empire, command" (see
empire
).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
Cite This Source
Example sentences
As she rose up the ranks, she had become increasingly
imperious
.
One element of that style was his
imperious
sense of command.
No increase of
imperious
coverage with the expansion there is actually a
decrease.
The emperor at length resolved no longer to brook his
imperious
behaviour, and
bear with his insolence.
Many administrators routinely send
imperious
, ineffective memoranda without realizing how their messages sound.
He would fain beg off from the acquisition, and shake the touch of the tangible from his
imperious
wings.
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Matching Quote
"Since to the awe of thy
imperious
wit
Our troublesome language bends, made only fit
With her tough thick-ribbed hoops to gird about
Thy giant fancy, which had proved too stout
For their soft melting phrases."
-Thomas Carew
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Synonyms
authoritative
domineering
tyrannical
peremptory
oppressive
imperative
obligatory
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Synonym Game
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puissant
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autarchy
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