What does "peremptory" mean?
A challenge to the admission of a juror, without the challenger needing to show good cause.
Peremptory
adj, noun
adj, noun ·4 syllables ·Common ·High school level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: A challenge to the admission of a juror, without the challenger needing to show good cause.
- Grammar: peremptory is listed as adj, noun.
- Nearest alternatives: absolute, absolutist, absolutistic, admitting no exception.
- Useful contrasts: courteous, discretionary, humane.
- Usage evidence: There was no point in arguing after such a peremptory command.
How to use "peremptory"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "peremptory" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "peremptory" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "peremptory" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "peremptory" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "peremptory" is acting as adj, noun in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "absolute" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.
Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "peremptory", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 A challenge to the admission of a juror, without the challenger needing to show good cause.
"Each side was allowed 20 peremptories, and the prosecution used 18 of its allotment."
Adjective
- 1 Precluding debate or expostulation; not admitting of question or appeal
"there is no reason but if any of the outlawries be indeed without error, but it should be a peremptory plea to the person in a writ of error, as well as in any other action."
- 2 (of a date or deadline) Absolutely requiring compliance or attendance; brooking no further delay; to proceed whether a party attends or not; final.
"As this trial has now been postponed multiple times, there will be an adjournment to April 24, peremptory on the parties."
- 3 Positive in opinion or judgment; absolutely certain, overconfident, unwilling to hear any debate or argument (especially in a pejorative sense); dogmatic.
"He marched under a placard reading "End Bossiness Now" but decided it was a little too peremptory, not quite British, so changed the slogan on subsequent badges, to "End Bossiness Soon.""
- 4 Firmly determined, resolute; obstinate, stubborn. obsolete
- 5 Accepting no refusal or disagreement; imperious, dictatorial.
"Upon the other hand, there are a great many people who, having no private property of their own, and being always on the brink of sheer starvation, are compelled to do the work of beasts of burden, to do work that is quite uncongenial to them, and to which they are forced by the peremptory, unreasonable, degrading Tyranny of want."
Adjective
- 1 putting an end to all debate or action wordnet
- 2 not allowing contradiction or refusal wordnet
- 3 offensively self-assured or given to exercising usually unwarranted power wordnet
Synonyms
All synonymsAntonyms
Example
"There was no point in arguing after such a peremptory command."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "peremptory"?
Common synonyms include: absolute, absolutist, absolutistic, admitting no exception, all out, all-out.
How do you use "peremptory" in a sentence?
There was no point in arguing after such a peremptory command.
Etymology
From Anglo-Norman peremptorie, parentorie et al. (Modern French péremptoire), and its source, Latin peremptōrius (“deadly; precluding debate, decisive”), from perimō (“destroy, thwart”), from per- (“thorough”) + emō (“I obtain, buy”).