Words / C2

im-PEERR-ee-uh-s/ɪmˈpɪəriəs/

Imperious means expecting to be obeyed; arrogantly commanding: an imperious tone, an imperious wave. Imperial is of an empire. Bossy is everyday and smaller. Peremptory (already in the dictionary) is close. Do not call a clear instruction imperious unless the manner is arrogant.

Meaning

Expecting to be obeyed; arrogantly commanding.

Examples

• “An imperious email is a poor way to ask for help.”
• “An imperious email is a poor substitute for a request with a reason.”
• “Imperial policy is history; an imperious manner is the person in the room.”

Good to know

Arrogantly commanding. Mix-up: imperial (empire). Everyday: bossy. Close: peremptory. Not merely clear or firm.

Near in meaning

bossy

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