peremptory
/pə'remptəri/
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Definition
- Adjective:
- Putting an end to all debate or action: Describes something that is final, absolute, and allows no argument or refusal.
- Not allowing contradiction or refusal: Describes a manner, tone, or command that is imperious, insistent, and brooks no opposition.
- Offensively self-assured or given to exercising usually unwarranted power: Describes a person or their behavior as domineering, autocratic, and arrogantly assertive.
Usage Examples
- Putting an end to debate:
- The judge issued a peremptory ruling, ending the discussion.
- His peremptory dismissal of the proposal angered the committee.
- Not allowing contradiction:
- She spoke in a peremptory tone that silenced the room.
- He gave a peremptory command to leave immediately.
- Offensively self-assured:
- His peremptory management style alienated his staff.
- She had a peremptory manner, expecting everyone to obey without question.
Advanced Usage
- Legal Context: In law, "peremptory" often describes a final, unchallengeable order or a right (like a peremptory challenge to dismiss a juror without giving a reason).
- The defense used a peremptory challenge to remove a potential juror.
- Formal/Archaic Usage: Can describe something as absolutely necessary or urgent.
- The peremptory needs of the state took precedence. (This usage is less common in modern English.)
Variants and Related Words
- Peremptorily (adverb): In a peremptory manner.
- He peremptorily ordered the meeting to adjourn.
- Peremptoriness (noun): The quality of being peremptory.
- The peremptoriness of his instructions was frustrating.
Synonyms
- Imperious: Assuming power or authority without justification; arrogant and domineering.
- Dictatorial: Characteristic of a ruler with total power; tyrannical.
- Authoritative: Commanding and self-confident; likely to be respected and obeyed (can be less negative than peremptory).
- Dogmatic: Inclined to lay down principles as incontrovertibly true.
Antonyms
- Hesitant: Tentative, unsure, or slow in acting or speaking.
- Indulgent: Having or indicating a readiness or over-readiness to be generous to or lenient with someone.
- Submissive: Ready to conform to the authority or will of others; meekly obedient or passive.
Related Idioms and Phrases
- Peremptory challenge: (Legal term) The right to reject a potential juror without stating a reason.
- The attorney still had two peremptory challenges remaining.
- In a peremptory fashion/manner: Doing something in a way that expects immediate obedience.
- She waved her hand in a peremptory fashion, demanding silence.
Adjective
- putting an end to all debate or action
- a peremptory decree
- not allowing contradiction or refusal
- spoke in peremptory tones
- peremptory commands
- offensively self-assured or given to exercising usually unwarranted power
- an autocratic person
- autocratic behavior
- a bossy way of ordering others around
- a rather aggressive and dominating character
- managed the employees in an aloof magisterial way
- a swaggering peremptory manner