DOMINEERING Synonyms: 103 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'domineering' distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of domineering are imperative , imperious , masterful , and peremptory . While all these words mean "tending to impose one's will on others," domineering suggests an overbearing or arbitrary manner and an obstinate determination to enforce one's will. // children controlled by domineering parents

Q: When could 'imperative' be used to replace 'domineering'?

In some situations, the words imperative and domineering are roughly equivalent. However, imperative implies peremptoriness arising more from the urgency of the situation than from an inherent will to dominate. // an imperative appeal for assistance

Q: In what contexts can 'imperious' take the place of 'domineering'?

The meanings of imperious and domineering largely overlap; however, imperious implies a commanding nature or manner and often suggests arrogant assurance. // an imperious executive used to getting his own way

Q: When would 'masterful' be a good substitute for 'domineering'?

While the synonyms masterful and domineering are close in meaning, masterful implies a strong personality and ability to act authoritatively. // her masterful personality soon dominated the movement

Q: When is it sensible to use 'peremptory' instead of 'domineering'?

The synonyms peremptory and domineering are sometimes interchangeable, but peremptory implies an abrupt dictatorial manner coupled with an unwillingness to brook disobedience or dissent. // given a peremptory dismissal

domineering 1 of 2

adjective

ˌdä-mə-ˈnir-iŋ

Definition of domineering

as in authoritarian

fond of ordering people around the younger children in the family were controlled by a domineering older sister

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

domineering

2 of 2

verb

present participle of domineer

as in dominating

Related Words

Synonym Chooser

How is the word domineering distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of domineering are imperative, imperious, masterful, and peremptory. While all these words mean "tending to impose one's will on others," domineering suggests an overbearing or arbitrary manner and an obstinate determination to enforce one's will.

children controlled by domineering parents

When could imperative be used to replace domineering?

In some situations, the words imperative and domineering are roughly equivalent. However, imperative implies peremptoriness arising more from the urgency of the situation than from an inherent will to dominate.

an imperative appeal for assistance

In what contexts can imperious take the place of domineering?

The meanings of imperious and domineering largely overlap; however, 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 domineering?

While the synonyms masterful and domineering are close in meaning, masterful implies a strong personality and ability to act authoritatively.

her masterful personality soon dominated the movement

When is it sensible to use peremptory instead of domineering?

The synonyms peremptory and domineering are sometimes interchangeable, but peremptory implies an abrupt dictatorial manner coupled with an unwillingness to brook disobedience or dissent.

given a peremptory dismissal

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 domineering

Adjective

Marc Kudisch played their domineering boss, Franklin Hart Jr. — Dave Quinn, PEOPLE, 26 Aug. 2026 Will stars in the film as Phil Weston, an unremarkable family man who grew up under the thumb of his domineering dad, Buck (Robert Duvall). — Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 3 Aug. 2026 His domineering physical appearance coupled with his goofy online persona have contributed to the craze. — Kaitlyn Huamani, Fortune, 13 July 2026 Now Moon juggles her domineering personality and the family’s poor finances. — Hamilton Cain, Time, 7 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for domineering

Recent Examples of Synonyms for domineering

Adjective

Meanwhile, Democrats are strongly opposed to the kind of corrupt authoritarian government that Republicans seem unwilling to even speak out against.

— Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 28 Oct. 2026
Many international scholars have described Mao as an authoritarian leader, pointing to his centralized rule, political purges, and aggressive state campaigns, including the Great Leap Forward and the Cultural Revolution.

— Miranda Jeyaretnam, Time, 28 Oct. 2026

Definition of authoritarian

Verb

With 11 games on the schedule for tonight, the NBA is back in full swing and dominating our televisions.

— OutKick, FOXNews.com, 21 Oct. 2026
Genres, in that sense, also feels refreshing, emphasizing actual books and tactile media at a cultural moment when AI is often dominating conversations.

— Todd Martens, Los Angeles Times, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of dominating

Adjective

Steve Buscemi as Harry’s regular fence; Tatiana Maslany as his estranged daughter; and Will Price as the arrogant, heat-packing scion of a Manhattan crime family also star.

— Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 23 Oct. 2026
Ever-sensible Elinor, who never asks for much, has already met, and fallen for, Edward Ferrars (George MacKay), Fanny’s brother, as kind and modest as Fanny is arrogant.

— Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of arrogant

Verb

After so much talk leading up to and coming out of the game in Melbourne, Australia, about the Los Angeles Rams waiting until late to fly there — and lost 27-7 to San Francisco — the NFL does not appear close to dictating when teams must travel.

— ABC News, ABC News, 20 Oct. 2026
So once again, the rich, powerful Establishment would be dictating the terms under which everyone else lives.

— Noel Murray, Vulture, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of dictating

Adjective

This kind of overbearing, overpowering, the cities dominating the people, the slightly retro feel of it.

— Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 20 Oct. 2026
During games, the elder Robinson stays away from the action, taking pictures of the Falcons and trying not to be overbearing.

— McClain Baxley for the AJC, AJC.com, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of overbearing

Verb

Claiming that other people expressing their civil rights is oppressing them, and politicizing what are supposed to be non-partisan parts of how the government works on the state and federal level.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 23 July 2026
Norway was itself a colonizer, and programs oppressing indigenous cultures and languages were in place well into the 1960s.

— Ola Morris Innset, The Dial, 2 June 2026

Definition of oppressing

Adjective

Kim was effusive and bossy, running her multibillion-dollar business in a bathrobe, two gay men pulling at her hair and face.

— Jonathan Van Meter, HollywoodReporter, 23 Oct. 2026
Debb tried to take control of the Kucha tribe early, but the others weren’t having it and saw her as bossy, voting her out at the first Tribal Council.

— Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 24 Sep. 2026

Definition of bossy

Adjective

Bam Adebayo wasn’t aggressive enough on the offensive side of the ball, which has been a consistent story line of his nine-year NBA career.

— Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 22 Oct. 2026
On a network like this, rule-breaking often isn’t aggressive at all.

— Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of aggressive

Browse Nearby Words

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“Domineering.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/domineering. Accessed 29 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of domineering

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verb

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