imperious

Etymology

From Latin imperiōsus (“mighty, powerful”), from imperium (“command, authority, power”).

adj

1. Domineering, arrogant, or overbearing.
   […] she glanced about her in an imperious, challenging sort of way, with looks and gestures that clearly were unstudied. 1866, Fyodor Dostoyevsky, translated by C. J. Hogarth, The Gambler
   She was quick, beautiful, imperious, while he was quiet, slow, and misty. 1899, Stephen Crane, The Angel Child, Whilomville Stories
   “Hey, sir? Sir, excuse me?” The blonde was calling out to him, in imperious tones that insisted on a reply. 2002 [2001], Salman Rushdie, Fury: A Novel, London: Vintage, page 4
   Saliba, meanwhile, has returned to Arsenal looking like the finished article after the 21-year-old France defender spent loan spells at Saint-Etienne, Nice and Marseille. He has been imperious since the opening game at Brentford, establishing a formidable partnership with Gabriel. October 1 2022, Phil McNulty, “Arsenal 3-1 Tottenham: Gunners show identity & direction in outstanding derby win”, in BBC Sport
2. Urgent.
   Circumstances of an imperious nature, which it is unnecessary to relate here, had prevented him from taking service with that gallant army which had fought the disastrous campaigns ending with the fall of Corinth. 1891, Ambrose Bierce, An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge
3. (obsolete) Imperial or regal.
   All the terrors of Antichrist; his cruel ediets and anathemas that were thundered from his imperious throne, like storms of fire and brimstone […] 1789, Ephraim Judson, Ambassadors appointed by Christ to treat with mankind on the subject of reconciliation to God, page 7