imperious
Loftily expecting obedience
Imperious describes a domineering manner that expects instant obedience—the bearing of someone who assumes authority over others.
An imperious tone, an imperious gesture, an imperious demand.
The word carries overtones of arrogance: She dismissed him with an imperious wave of her hand.
Imperious needs can be urgent or pressing, brooking no delay.
Arrogantly dominating in manner
- tyrannicalExercising power unjustly
- dictatorialImposing absolute control
- autocraticRuling with absolute authority
- despoticExercising absolute authority
authoritarian · bossy · bullying · oppressive · high-handed · controlling · masterful · iron-fisted
Arrogantly contemptuous of others
- haughtyDisdainfully proud
- disdainfulShowing open contempt
- contemptuousShowing open disrespect
- condescendingSuperior and dismissive manner
pompous · snobbish · patronizing · scornful · lofty · snooty · uppity · sneering
Having recognized expertise
- assertiveConfidently self-assured
- forcefulExerting strong pressure
- dominantHaving superior influence
- powerfulHaving great strength
compelling · directive · decisive · firm · resolute · imposing · formidable · influential
Impressively dignified and beautiful
- royalOf monarchs
- sovereignSupreme in power
- kinglyOf or befitting monarchs
- queenlyBefitting a female sovereign
noble · aristocratic · stately · dignified · grand · august · magnificent · princely
Requiring immediate attention
- insistentFirmly demanding attention
- exigentRequiring immediate attention
- compellingPowerfully engaging or persuasive
- demandingRequiring great effort
clamorous · importunate · critical · acute · inexorable · unrelenting · persistent
overbearing
Arrogantly dominating in manner
- tyrannicalExercising power unjustly
- dictatorialImposing absolute control
- autocraticRuling with absolute authority
despotic · authoritarian · bossy · bullying · oppressive · high-handed · controlling · masterful · iron-fisted · heavy-handed
supercilious
Arrogantly contemptuous of others
- haughtyDisdainfully proud
- disdainfulShowing open contempt
- contemptuousShowing open disrespect
condescending · pompous · snobbish · patronizing · scornful · lofty · snooty · uppity · sneering · cavalier
authoritative
Having recognized expertise
powerful · compelling · directive · decisive · firm · resolute · imposing · formidable · influential · preeminent
majestic
Impressively dignified and beautiful
queenly · noble · aristocratic · stately · dignified · grand · august · magnificent · princely · courtly
pressing
Requiring immediate attention
- insistentFirmly demanding attention
- exigentRequiring immediate attention
- compellingPowerfully engaging or persuasive
demanding · clamorous · importunate · critical · acute · inexorable · unrelenting · persistent
- bossy traitsdomineering, overbearing, pushy, demanding, controlling
- dominancedominance, dominant, supremacy, superiority, ascendancy
- egotismarrogant, conceited, egocentric, egomaniac, egotist
- oppressivestifling, suffocating, smothering, crushing, repressive
- condescendingpatronizing, disdainful, scornful, dismissive, belittling
- regalroyal, kingly, queenly, princely, majestic
imperioussubmissive
Readily yielding to control
subservient · obedient · servile · docile · meek
imperioushumble
Unassuming about oneself
modest · unassuming · unpretentious · meek · self-effacing
imperiousmeek
Humbly unassertive
gentle · mild · soft-spoken · undemanding · accommodating