domineer
dom-ih-NEER
/ˌdɒmɪˈnɪər/
Assert one's will over another in an arrogant, overbearing way.
Strongly negative; implies a bullying, bossy, and self-centered exercise of power that disregards others' feelings or rights.
The story behind the word. Derived from the Latin dominus (master), which also gave us 'dominate' and 'domain'. It came into English via the Dutch domineren (to rule or lord it over), retaining its sense of acting like an arrogant master.
Word relationships
- tyrannize: Tyrannize implies exercising severe, cruel, and absolute power, whereas domineer is more about being bossy, arrogant, and overbearing in daily interactions.
- submit: Submit is to yield to another's authority, whereas domineer is to aggressively force your authority onto others.
Commonly confused with
- dominate: Dominate is a neutral term meaning to have a commanding position or control, while domineer is always negative, implying an arrogant, bullying manner.
Word family
- domineering (adjective): Overbearing, arrogant, and bossy.
Collocations
- domineer over
- tendency to domineer
- domineering personality
Example sentences
- "He did not seek to domineer, but his sheer presence commanded obedience." Classic Literature
- "She refused to let her older brother domineer over her career choices." Family Dynamics
Memory hook
A DOMINEER acts like a dominant deer, pushing all the other animals out of the way. Lording it over others arrogantly.
When not to use
Do not use to describe a fair, democratic, or collaborative leader.
Fun facts
- The word entered English in the late 16th century, likely borrowed from Dutch soldiers during the Low Countries' wars, where 'domineren' was a common term for military bullying.
Related words
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