peremptory

[ puh-remp-tuh-ree ]
See synonyms for peremptory on Thesaurus.com
adjective
  1. leaving no opportunity for denial or refusal; imperative: a peremptory command.

  2. imperious or dictatorial.

  1. positive or assertive in speech, tone, manner, etc.

  2. Law.

    • that precludes or does not admit of debate, question, etc.: a peremptory edict.

    • decisive or final.

    • in which a command is absolute and unconditional: a peremptory writ.

Origin of peremptory

1
First recorded in 1505–15; from Latin peremptōrius “final, decisive,” literally, “deadly, destructive” (derivative of perimere “to take away fully, destroy, slay”), equivalent to per- per- + em- , base of emere “to buy,” originally “to take” + -tōrius -tory1, with intrusive p

Other words for peremptory

Other words from peremptory

  • per·emp·to·ri·ly [puh-remp-tawr-i-lee], /pəˌrɛmpˈtɔr ɪ li/, adverb
  • per·emp·to·ri·ness, noun
  • o·ver·per·emp·to·ri·ness, noun
  • o·ver·per·emp·to·ry, adjective
  • un·per·emp·to·ri·ness, noun
  • un·per·emp·to·ry, adjective

Words that may be confused with peremptory

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use peremptory in a sentence

  • Nettie's haste and peremptoriness were mixed, if it must be told, with a little resentment against the world in general.

    The Doctor's Family | Mrs. (Margaret) Oliphant
  • Theodore pushed back his chair from the table with a harsh peremptoriness, startling them all.

    A Country Gentleman and his Family | Mrs. (Margaret) Oliphant
  • This law is almost without parallel in severity, peremptoriness, and defiant contempt for National authority.

  • "Sit down and warm yourself," he said, with a good-humored peremptoriness.

    Averil | Rosa Nouchette Carey
  • She spoke with the peremptoriness of a spoiled child, but the woman smiled pleasantly and did as she was bid.

    Uncle Max | Rosa Nouchette Carey

British Dictionary definitions for peremptory

peremptory

/ (pəˈrɛmptərɪ) /


adjective
  1. urgent or commanding: a peremptory ring on the bell

  2. not able to be remitted or debated; decisive

  1. positive or assured in speech, manner, etc; dogmatic

  2. law

    • admitting of no denial or contradiction; precluding debate

    • obligatory rather than permissive

Origin of peremptory

1
C16: from Anglo-Norman peremptorie, from Latin peremptōrius decisive, from perimere to take away completely, from per- (intensive) + emere to take

Derived forms of peremptory

  • peremptorily, adverb
  • peremptoriness, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012