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 The genius of the people will ill brook the inquisitive and peremptory spirit of excise laws. — Marie Sapirie, Forbes.com, 25 Aug. 2025 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 The defense challenged some of the government’s peremptory strikes over suggestions of racial bias. — Cnn.com Wire Service, Mercury News, 13 May 2025 The voir dire process involves two types of dismissals – so-called for cause dismissals and peremptory strikes. — Sandra Gonzalez, CNN Money, 4 May 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. authoritative
  8. incumbent
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
Adjective
  • Ben-Gvir was considered so extreme that the Israeli military barred him from compulsory service.
    — Eric Cortellessa, Time, 22 Oct. 2026
  • Ultra-Orthodox political leaders have demanded a law to formalize the group's broad exemption from the draft, but one that would also determine a percentage of ultra-Orthodox men and women who would be subject to compulsory service.
    — Dov Lieber, CBS News, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of compulsory
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
Adjective
  • The United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention found al-Faraj’s detention arbitrary, according to a report published in December 2024.
    — Toria Sheffield, PEOPLE, 25 Oct. 2026
  • Someone set the arbitrary number at ten, and the whole point of the exercise is to whittle the list down to ten.
    — Brian Moylan, Vulture, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of arbitrary
Adjective
  • Lee recognizes the potential for that in the servant and chooses not to do these things, or at least not do them in a domineering or self-serving way.
    — Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 21 Oct. 2026
  • Sources said Gunning plays Annie, a quietly dutiful wife who has sacrificed her ambitions to raise four sons under her domineering husband, Duncan.
    — Matt Grobar, Deadline, 9 Sep. 2026
Definition of domineering
Adjective
  • In a country where enlistment is mandatory for most Jewish men and women, these exemptions have always angered the broader public.
    — Josef Federman, Los Angeles Times, 26 Oct. 2026
  • Other campaign issues include mandatory military service, which is particularly sensitive for religious Jewish parties and Haredi communities.
    — Chloe Taylor, CNBC, 26 Oct. 2026
Definition of mandatory
Adjective
  • Without an authoritative accounting, Eisenkot argues, the country cannot fully reckon with the catastrophe.
    — Eric Cortellessa, Time, 25 Oct. 2026
  • Our colleague Helen Branswell was a renowned infectious disease reporter who earned the respect and admiration of experts and public health officials with her authoritative, prescient reporting on the flu, polio, Ebola and the Covid-19 pandemic.
    — Elaine Chen, STAT, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of authoritative
Adjective
  • The incumbent senator accused his critics of lying about the controversy before acknowledging that his office sent patients with unpaid bills to collections.
    — Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 22 Oct. 2026
  • With just two weeks to go until Election Night, sky-high utility bills have become a major issue in the Los Angeles mayor's race, with both incumbent Mayor Karen Bass and Nithya Raman promising action.
    — Tom Wait, CBS News, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of incumbent

Browse Nearby Words

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 29 Oct. 2026.

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