peremptory

adjective

pə-ˈrem(p)-t(ə-)rē How to pronounce peremptory (audio)
Definition of peremptorynext
1
as in authoritarian
fond of ordering people around the governor's peremptory personal assistant began telling the crowd of reporters and photographers exactly where they had to stand

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in compulsory
forcing one's compliance or participation by or as if by law a peremptory summons to appear before the committee

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
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
4
as in arbitrary
having or showing a tendency to force one's will on others without any regard to fairness or necessity a peremptory insistence that the staff wait on them first

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 Take her description of her decision to quit acting after turning 50 — prompted by her peremptory tone when speaking to an unnamed person on set. — Daniel D'addario, Variety, 7 Jan. 2026 In that ruling and in subsequent cases, the Supreme Court laid out a series of steps for how trial courts should determine whether prosecutors' use of a peremptory strike was based on race. — Melissa Quinn, CBS News, 28 May 2026 The lawyers accused prosecutors of using seven of their nine peremptory strikes to remove Black jurors from the prospective panel before the final jury was selected. — Rolling Stone, 16 June 2025 Plenty of agency officials were already put off by the DOGErs, who often issued peremptory orders to meet with them and answer questions. — Eli Hager, ProPublica, 8 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for peremptory
Recent Examples of Synonyms for peremptory
  1. authoritarian
  2. compulsory
  3. arrogant
  4. arbitrary
  5. domineering
  6. mandatory
  7. superior
  8. authoritative
Adjective
  • In the nation’s gravest hour, the country’s authoritarian regime has crippled an effective response, say survivors, rescue workers and former officials.
    — Terrence McCoy, Washington Post, 1 July 2026
  • Some are fleeing authoritarian regimes, war or natural disasters.
    — Angie Leventis Lourgos, Chicago Tribune, 28 June 2026
Definition of authoritarian
Adjective
  • Volkswagen agreed a deal with unions in late 2024 to avoid factory closures in Germany and rule out compulsory redundancies until the end of 2030.
    — Sam Meredith, CNBC, 2 July 2026
  • Zverev had given his window for that day and so was put out by being told that the test, outside of that window, was compulsory.
    — Charlie Eccleshare, New York Times, 24 June 2026
Definition of compulsory
Adjective
  • West Germany, arrogant attitude adjusted, pounded Chile, 4-1.
    — David j. Neal, Miami Herald, 24 June 2026
  • Lasso, in his initial introduction to audiences, wasn’t the warm, pun-loving, inspirational coach audiences would eventually embrace through Apple +, but a slightly arrogant buffoon parodying the average American sports fan.
    — Charles Moss, New York Times, 24 June 2026
Definition of arrogant
Adjective
  • Every state taxes alcoholic beverages, though the tax treatment of certain alcoholic beverages may appear arbitrary.
    — Adam Hoffer, Chicago Tribune, 5 July 2026
  • The war period saw its own moments of threats to rights, such as suspending habeas corpus, the legal mechanism to prevent arbitrary detention.
    — Chris Kenning, USA Today, 2 July 2026
Definition of arbitrary
Adjective
  • Musk’s company has inked lucrative AI deals with Anthropic and Google and plans to be the domineering firm behind orbital data centers, which SpaceX has said could be deployed as early as 2028.
    — Antonio Pequeño IV, Forbes.com, 12 June 2026
  • Many figures within evangelicalism have promoted an aggressive, domineering, even abusive view of manhood—affixing to it, as Du Mez argues, the label biblical.
    — Peter Wehner, The Atlantic, 10 June 2026
Definition of domineering
Adjective
  • Bring recess back as a mandatory part of the school schedule.
    — Taylor Carney, AJC.com, 6 July 2026
  • The ruling also reflected Sotomayor’s reasoning that owners and players were still bargaining in good faith and that salary policies were mandatory subjects of bargaining.
    — Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 6 July 2026
Definition of mandatory
Adjective
  • The notable summer development, to this point, has been the Dolphins’ lack of interest in adding superior outside options at safety, edge and cornerback.
    — Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 1 July 2026
  • This chip enables advanced on-device AI for superior active noise cancellation, focusing on isolating human speech and handling dynamic sounds.
    — Ewan Spence, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026
Definition of superior
Adjective
  • By separating address grouping, attribution, and operator, the proposal addresses a weakness that has long existed in blockchain analytics; confidence can be mistaken for proof especially given the lack of authoritative auditing standards.
    — Sean Stein Smith, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026
  • Your 10th House of Career and Status gets a quiet lift from the Moon, which trines authoritative Saturn in your 2nd House of Finances.
    — Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 27 June 2026
Definition of authoritative

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peremptoriness
peremptory
perennial
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Cite this Entry

“Peremptory.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/peremptory. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on peremptory

Nglish: Translation of peremptory for Spanish Speakers

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