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as in arrogant
having a feeling of superiority that shows itself in an overbearing attitude she had such a peremptory approach to running the club that people started to avoid her

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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Synonym Chooser

How is the word peremptory distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of peremptory are domineering, imperative, imperious, and masterful. While all these words mean "tending to impose one's will on others," peremptory implies an abrupt dictatorial manner coupled with an unwillingness to brook disobedience or dissent.

given a peremptory dismissal

When is domineering a more appropriate choice than peremptory?

Although the words domineering and peremptory have much in common, domineering suggests an overbearing or arbitrary manner and an obstinate determination to enforce one's will.

children controlled by domineering parents

Where would imperative be a reasonable alternative to peremptory?

The words imperative and peremptory are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, imperative implies peremptoriness arising more from the urgency of the situation than from an inherent will to dominate.

an imperative appeal for assistance

When might imperious be a better fit than peremptory?

While the synonyms imperious and peremptory are close in meaning, imperious implies a commanding nature or manner and often suggests arrogant assurance.

an imperious executive used to getting his own way

When would masterful be a good substitute for peremptory?

The words masterful and peremptory can be used in similar contexts, but masterful implies a strong personality and ability to act authoritatively.

her masterful personality soon dominated the movement

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of peremptory Friday was the day that attorneys for the prosecution and defense would further question the 43 men and women from the jury pool, whittling that group down to 12 jurors and six alternates by exercising their peremptory strikes. Kevin Dolak, HollywoodReporter, 9 May 2025 Nineteen potential jurors who were questioned Monday are expected to be considered for the panel in the peremptory strike phase, when attorneys for both sides can opt to strike a prospective juror for almost any reason. Kara Scannell, CNN Money, 5 May 2025 The jury of five men and seven women, as well as two alternates, was finalized shortly before 6 p.m. Tuesday following the questioning of 45 potential jurors and for-cause and peremptory strikes from both sides. Jason Meisner, Chicago Tribune, 8 Apr. 2025 Officials subjected to peremptory orders gradually realized that ignoring them carried little penalty. Andrew Cockburn, Harper's Magazine, 19 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for peremptory
Recent Examples of Synonyms for peremptory
Adjective
  • Whether Trump's death quelled or accelerated authoritarian forces remains an open question.
    Theo Burman, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 July 2025
  • All of these factors and their contribution to alienation can foster authoritarian beliefs and individualism.
    Nathan Meyers, The Conversation, 11 July 2025
Adjective
  • Rather, films that portray women without the compulsory veil disrupt the symbolic, legal-religious order.
    Ali Farahmand, IndieWire, 8 July 2025
  • To bolster security and safety, standards and regulations emerged to force accountability, including compulsory NERC CIP for the North American energy grid and GDPR for EU data privacy.
    Thomas Ryd, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
Adjective
  • In 2022, Ackles joined the cast of Prime Video's The Boys as arrogant superhero Soldier Boy.
    Brianne Tracy, People.com, 4 July 2025
  • Her larger-than-life ego and past as a shaman make Player 044 come off as arrogant and selfish, getting under just about everyone's skin.
    EW.com, EW.com, 4 July 2025
Adjective
  • These seemingly arbitrary small items are essentially sweeteners to win over lawmakers who might quibble with the broader thrust of the legislation.
    Allison Morrow, CNN Money, 4 July 2025
  • Regardless, the court continues to find that the government's actions were arbitrary and capricious, in part because the government never bothered to define the problems that would get a grant canceled.
    ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 3 July 2025
Adjective
  • My Mom Died is a heartbreaking and funny recounting of Jennette McCurdy’s struggles as a former child actor while dealing with her overbearing, domineering mother.
    Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 1 July 2025
  • The end of season 2 turned the tables on the meek Ada and domineering Agnes when Agnes lost her fortune thanks to her son Oscar (Blake Ritson) trusting the wrong people.
    Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 23 June 2025
Adjective
  • According to Vought, those figures include discretionary and mandatory spending included in the One Big, Beautiful Bill Act, which was signed into law by President Trump on Friday.
    Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 9 July 2025
  • The statute imposed various mandatory prison terms for violating the law.
    Nina Totenberg, NPR, 9 July 2025
Adjective
  • Research has found that active kids develop superior cognitive skills, get better grades, and are more likely to stay on task than kids who are less active.
    Henry Abbott, The Atlantic, 12 July 2025
  • The idea that no one was born inherently superior, that status wasn’t tied to birth but to citizenship and shared rights, was a radical break in human history and a decisive rejection of Old World European ideology.
    Jared Nordlund, The Orlando Sentinel, 12 July 2025
Adjective
  • The authoritative record of NPR’s programming is the audio record.
    Steve Inskeep, NPR, 14 July 2025
  • There’s an authoritative front grille and bumper, and revised rear tail lights.
    Josh Max, Forbes.com, 11 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Peremptory.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/peremptory. Accessed 19 Jul. 2025.

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