im·pe·ri·ous
\im-ˈpir-ē-əs\
adjective
: having or showing the proud andunpleasant attitude of someone who givesorders and expects other people to obeythem
Full Definition
1 a : befitting or characteristic of one ofeminent rank or attainments : commanding,dominant <an imperious manner>
b : marked by arrogant assurance :domineering2 : intensely compelling : urgent <theimperious problems of the new age - J. F.Kennedy>
synonyms see masterful
im·pe·ri·ous·ly adverbim·pe·ri·ous·ness noun
Examples
an imperious little boy who liked to tell theother scouts what to doan imperious movie star who thinks she'ssome sort of goddessan office administrator with an imperiousmanner that really grates on people
Origin: Latin imperiosus, from imperium.
First use: 1540
Synonyms: authoritarian, authoritative,autocratic (also autocratical), despotic,dictatorial, domineering, bossy, masterful,overbearing, peremptory, tyrannical (alsotyrannic), tyrannous
Antonyms: humble, lowly, modest,unarrogant, unpretentious