imperious
adjective
im·pe·ri·ous
im-ˈpir-ē-əs 
1
a
: marked by arrogant assurance : domineering
b
: befitting or characteristic of one of eminent rank or attainments : commanding, dominant
an imperious manner
2
: intensely compelling : urgent
the imperious problems of the new age—
J. F. Kennedy
J. F. Kennedy
imperiously
adverb
imperiousness
noun
Examples of imperious in a Sentence
an imperious little boy who liked to tell the other scouts what to do
an imperious movie star who thinks she's some sort of goddess
Recent Examples on the Web
But against Spain, the imperious combination that has been lacking for Wiegman’s side over the past 12 months returned.
—Michael Cox, The Athletic, 26 Feb. 2025
Wilson, a former university president with an imperious air, returned from Europe a hero.
—Dexter Filkins, The New Yorker, 20 Feb. 2025
Just four days after the satisfaction of chalking up back-to-back away wins in the league for the first time all season, Wrexham’s one-time imperious home form took another dent as a third game at the STōK Cae Ras passed without maximum points being claimed.
—Richard Sutcliffe, The Athletic, 18 Feb. 2025
Slot’s team drew at Nottingham Forest and, on the weekend, 90 goalless minutes had passed at Brentford with a feeling that the imperious phase was finally at an end.
—Darren Richman, The Athletic, 20 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for imperious
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Michael Cox, The Athletic, 26 Feb. 2025
Wilson, a former university president with an imperious air, returned from Europe a hero.
—Dexter Filkins, The New Yorker, 20 Feb. 2025
Just four days after the satisfaction of chalking up back-to-back away wins in the league for the first time all season, Wrexham’s one-time imperious home form took another dent as a third game at the STōK Cae Ras passed without maximum points being claimed.
—Richard Sutcliffe, The Athletic, 18 Feb. 2025
Slot’s team drew at Nottingham Forest and, on the weekend, 90 goalless minutes had passed at Brentford with a feeling that the imperious phase was finally at an end.
—Darren Richman, The Athletic, 20 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for imperious
Cite this Entry
“Imperious.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/imperious. Accessed 23 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
imperious
adjective
im·pe·ri·ous
im-ˈpir-ē-əs
1
: behaving like someone who is a supreme ruler
2
: imperative entry 1 sense 2, urgent
the imperious problems of a new age
imperiously
adverb
imperiousness
noun
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share