imperious
im-PEER-ee-usadjMeaning commanding and bossy, expecting to be obeyed
Memory hook IMPERI-ous: bossy as an EMPEROR. From his high chair, little Theo points like an emperor: “Juice! Now!” And Dad runs to obey. Theo is imperious.
With an imperious wave, the toddler sent his father back for more juice.
In context The new manager’s imperious style, barking orders and never asking for opinions, made the staff nostalgic for her gentle predecessor.
Similar domineering, bossy, overbearing, arrogant
Opposite meek, humble, submissive
From Latin imperiosus, “commanding,” from imperium (command, empire).