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.

dominant

authoritative

Having recognized expertise

controlling · bossy · imperious · domineering · presumptuous · high-handed · lordly · patronizing · officious · dictatorial

possessive

territorial

Defensive about owned space

guarding · watchful · controlling · demanding · smothering · grasping · covetous · envious · suspicious · distrustful

ownership

landlord

Property owner renting out

  • titleFormal honorific or name
  • deedWritten property conveyance
  • assetsOwned items of value

estate · holdings · freehold · leasehold · tenure · equity · patrimony · inheritance · stewardship · acquisition

Opposites
ownership attitude

proprietorialnonpossessive

Not indicating ownership

dispossessed · sharing · communal · selfless · generous

emotional investment

proprietorialdetached

Apart or uninvolved

indifferent · disinterested · aloof · unconcerned · apathetic

control orientation

proprietorialhands-off

Not directly involved

laissez-faire · permissive · uncontrolling · deferential · yielding

Family

property, appropriate, propriety, proprietor, appropriately, proprietary, appropriation, expropriate, appropriateness

Familiarity
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Used worldwide · Timeless · Abstract · Everyday, not technical · Rated G