What does imperiousness mean?
Imperiousness is the quality of behaving as though your authority should command immediate obedience. It describes a combination of arrogance, self-importance, and a domineering manner, often extending to the tone with which someone gives orders or dismisses other people's views. The word can also suggest a forcefully imposing presence, but its dominant modern connotation is negative: imperious behavior is generally viewed as overbearing rather than merely decisive. In the workplace, for example, calling a manager imperious implies that the manager's authority has become smug and excessively demanding. The related adjective is imperious, meaning arrogant or domineering, and the adverb is imperiously. Although it can apply to rulers and other authority figures, the word is not limited to politics or monarchy; it is used for anyone whose manner seems haughty and unwilling to tolerate disagreement.
nounThe quality of being imperious: arrogant, domineering, and expecting unquestioning obedience or deference.
- The quality of being arrogant and domineering, especially in a way that demands obedience or unquestioning deference.
- The quality of being commanding, forceful, or imposing in manner.
"Her imperiousness made it difficult for colleagues to disagree with her."
"The young executive's imperiousness alienated even his closest colleagues."
"She spoke with such imperiousness that no one dared challenge her decision."
Rare; the word is normally used as an uncountable noun for a quality or manner.
"The novel examines the different forms of imperiousness within the ruling family."
Imperiousness is the sound of someone who expects their orders to be obeyed simply because they gave them.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of imperiousness
Imperiousness comes through French from Latin imperiosus, meaning “imperial” or “powerful,” and ultimately from imperium, meaning “command” or “empire.” The word originally conveyed commanding authority, including that of a ruler, before its English sense developed the more critical modern emphasis on arrogance and domineering behavior. Imperial, imperialism, and imperium belong to the same Latin root.
Related word forms
How imperiousness is actually used
The term is formal and strongly disapproving. It usually implies excessive authority or arrogance rather than ordinary confidence or firmness.
Easily confused with imperiousness
Imperiousness is the noun naming the quality of behaving in an arrogant, domineering way.
Imperiousness describes a domineering manner, whereas imperialism refers to domination or expansion involving an empire.