imperious
AdjectiveWordNet 3.0
Adjective (1)
- having or showing arrogant superiority to and disdain of those one views as unworthy“some economists are disdainful of their colleagues in other social disciplines”“haughty aristocrats”“his lordly manners were offensive”“walked with a prideful swagger”“very sniffy about breaches of etiquette”“his mother eyed my clothes with a supercilious air”“a more swaggering mood than usual — W.L.Shirer”Synonyms: disdainfulhaughtylordlyoverbearingpridefulsniffysuperciliousswaggering
Webster's Dictionary (GCIDE)
Imperious \Im*pe"ri*ous\, a. [L. imperiosus: cf. F. imp['e]rieux. See Imperial.]
1.Commanding; ascendant; imperial; lordly; majestic. [Obs.] "A vast and imperious mind." --Tilloison. [1913 Webster]
Therefore, great lords, be, as your titles witness, Imperious.— Shak.[1913 Webster]
2.Haughly; arrogant; overbearing; as, an imperious tyrant; an imperious manner. [1913 Webster]
This imperious man will work us all From princes into pages.— Shak.[1913 Webster]
His bold, contemptuous, and imperious spirit soon made him conspicuous.— Macaulay.[1913 Webster]
3.Imperative; urgent; compelling. [1913 Webster]
Imperious need, which can not be withstood.— Dryden.
Syn: Dictatorial; haughty; domineering; overbearing; lordly; tyrannical; despotic; arrogant; imperative; authoritative; commanding; pressing.
Usage: Imperious, Lordly, Domineering. One who is imperious exercises his authority in a manner highly offensive for its spirit and tone; one who is lordly assumes a lofty air in order to display his importance; one who is domineering gives orders in a way to make others feel their inferiority. [1913 Webster]