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domineering
/ˌdɒmɪˈnɪərɪŋ/
controlling others in an arrogant way
Her domineering boss never listened to anyone's ideas.
The boss is described as controlling and arrogant, dismissing others' input.
neutral
asserting one's will over others in a controlling and often arrogant manner
The manager's domineering attitude made the team feel undervalued.
The manager's controlling behavior led to a sense of disrespect among team members.
She found her partner's domineering nature stifling after years of marriage.
Her partner's controlling behavior felt oppressive over time.
Often implies an excessive need for control, sometimes bordering on tyranny.
Collocations
domineering personalitya personality that seeks to control othersdomineering tonea tone that asserts authority in an arrogant way
Pro Tip
Avoid overusing 'domineering'
Reserve this word for situations where someone's controlling behavior is clearly arrogant or oppressive. Overuse can dilute its impact.
Gold Rule
Connotation matters
Domineering always implies a negative, arrogant form of control. It is not neutral like 'authoritative'.
Word Origin
From Middle English 'dominour' (ruler, lord), from Old French 'dominer' (to dominate), from Latin 'dominari' (to rule, dominate), from 'dominus' (master, lord). The suffix '-ing' forms an adjective describing the action or quality of the root verb.
Usage Notes
Commonly used to describe people who exert excessive control over others, often in personal or professional relationships. Avoid using it to describe neutral authority figures; it carries a negative connotation.
Word Breakdown
domin-
to rule or control
root-eering
forming an adjective indicating a tendency or quality
suffixEnglish Dictionary