Imperious
adjective /ɪmˈpɪər.i.əs/ — Assuming authority without justification; arrogantly domineering
Definition
Assuming and expecting power and obedience as a matter of course — commanding in a way that admits no resistance. Often carries a note of arrogance: authority assumed rather than earned.
Beyond the definition
The word for command that doesn't ask. Imperious people do not check whether they have authority — they simply exercise it, and wait for the world to conform.
Origin & history
From Latin 'imperiosus' (commanding, powerful) — from 'imperium' (power, command). The quality of those who hold imperium — supreme power.
Example sentences
Illustrative sentences for learning, not verified community posts or sourced quotations.
She gestured with an imperious wave that ended the meeting before anyone had decided to end it.
There is a difference between commanding and imperious: the latter has forgotten that authority requires consent.
The imperious quality of his early career became, with age, something closer to gravitas.
How to use it
This entry uses an adjective. Follow the examples for the nouns it describes and its position in the sentence.
Choose “Imperious” when the meaning fits your context: Assuming and expecting power and obedience as a matter of course — commanding in a way that admits no resistance. Often carries a note of arrogance: authority assumed rather than earned.
Synonyms
commanding, domineering, authoritative, overbearing, peremptory
Antonyms
humble, deferential, meek
Related words
Word in the Wild
See how this word appears in life, language and stories.
Illustrative sentences and imagined stories for learning — not verified sightings, interviews, or sourced quotations.
Fictional scene
Commanding Stance
One adult stands tall and points with authority while another person looks down, clearly excluded from the current decision-making process.
The posture and the exclusion of the other person suggest an authority assumed as a matter of course, capturing the arrogance and expectation of obedience inherent in the word.
Image credit: Wordspun · AI-generated conceptual illustration
Questions about this word
What does "Imperious" mean?
Imperious is adjective meaning: Assuming authority without justification; arrogantly domineering. Assuming and expecting power and obedience as a matter of course — commanding in a way that admits no resistance. Often carries a note of arrogance: authority assumed rather than earned.
Where does the word "Imperious" come from?
From Latin 'imperiosus' (commanding, powerful) — from 'imperium' (power, command). The quality of those who hold imperium — supreme power.