proprietorial
Acting like owner
Proprietorial describes the attitude or manner of an owner—someone who acts as though they possess something or someone.
It often carries connotations of possessiveness or territorial behavior: He draped a proprietorial arm around her shoulders.
The word applies to both literal ownership and figurative claims: She cast a proprietorial eye over the department she'd built.
Chiefly British; Americans tend to use proprietary for the same sense.
Having recognized expertise
- commandingExerting strong authority
- masterfulHighly skilled and authoritative
- assertiveConfidently self-assured
- controllingExerting authority over others
bossy · imperious · domineering · presumptuous · high-handed · lordly · patronizing · officious
Defensive about owned space
- clingyTending to hold on
- jealousResentful of others' advantages
- protectiveServing to guard
- guardingActively protecting something
watchful · controlling · demanding · smothering · grasping · covetous · envious · suspicious
authoritative
Having recognized expertise
- commandingExerting strong authority
- masterfulHighly skilled and authoritative
- assertiveConfidently self-assured
controlling · bossy · imperious · domineering · presumptuous · high-handed · lordly · patronizing · officious · dictatorial
territorial
Defensive about owned space
- clingyTending to hold on
- jealousResentful of others' advantages
- protectiveServing to guard
guarding · watchful · controlling · demanding · smothering · grasping · covetous · envious · suspicious · distrustful
landlord
Property owner renting out
estate · holdings · freehold · leasehold · tenure · equity · patrimony · inheritance · stewardship · acquisition
proprietorialnonpossessive
Not indicating ownership
dispossessed · sharing · communal · selfless · generous
proprietorialdetached
Apart or uninvolved
indifferent · disinterested · aloof · unconcerned · apathetic
proprietorialhands-off
Not directly involved
laissez-faire · permissive · uncontrolling · deferential · yielding
property, appropriate, propriety, proprietor, appropriately, proprietary, appropriation, expropriate, appropriateness