imperious
im-PEER-ee-us
/ɪmˈpɪə.ri.əs/
Assuming power or authority without justification; arrogant and domineering.
Relates to acting like an absolute ruler or emperor, giving commands that permit no debate.
The story behind the word. From Latin 'imperiosus', derived from 'imperium' (command or empire). Roman legal officials held official 'imperium', but when private citizens assumed that commanding tone, they were termed 'imperious'.
Word relationships
- domineering: Domineering describes aggressive personal control in daily life; imperious carries royal or dictatorial weight.
- authoritative: Authoritative implies legitimate, respected mastery, whereas imperious implies illegitimate or bossy arrogance.
- submissive: Ready to yield to the authority of others.
- deferential: Showing respect and compliance toward others.
Commonly confused with
- imperial: Imperial relates to a real empire or emperor; imperious describes acting bossy or regal without justification.
Word family
- imperiousness (noun): The quality of being imperious; bossy domineering.
- imperiously (adverb): In an imperious, commanding manner.
Collocations
- imperious tone
- imperious command
- imperious manner
- imperious gesture
Idioms & expressions
- rule with an iron fist
- lay down the law
Example sentences
- "She ruled the royal court with an imperious gesture, silencing dissenters before they could finish speaking." Historical biography
- "He gave his orders in an imperious tone that made every servant in the house jump to attention." Classic novel description
Memory hook
An IMPERIOUS tone belongs to an EMPEROR who demands total obedience. Commanding like an emperor.
When not to use
Avoid using for casual vanity or mild self-satisfaction; it requires a dictatorial, bossy posture.
Fun facts
- While 'imperial' remains neutral (e.g., 'imperial measurements'), 'imperious' acquired an almost exclusively negative connotation of bossiness.
Related words
Also appears in
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