In public, Mr Bush and Mr Ashcroft have been peremptory in waving the critics aside.

ECONOMIST: Liberty v security

There was a lot of grumbling about Mr Summers's peremptory style, as well.

ECONOMIST: Larry Summers��s little prize

If so many traditionally friendly countries failed to come to America's support, that was partly because America itself has been unnecessarily peremptory.

ECONOMIST: America and the UN

Ariel Sharon, a leading cabinet hardliner, was quick to declare that peremptory action by the prime minister could bring down the government.

ECONOMIST: Israel: The flame flickers | The

He knows just when to be cryptic, peremptory, encouraging, and so on.

NEWYORKER: Playing The Numbers

David Blunkett, the education secretary, has trampled over localism with peremptory instructions on school standards, and a willingness to wade into failing schools.

ECONOMIST: Resolving Labour��s local difficulties

The Bush administration specialises in this sort of peremptory behaviour.

ECONOMIST: America and the UN | The

At the end of last week, the pool of jurors who had not been excused for cause had been narrowed to 30, with six more needed before peremptory strikes take place.

NPR: Libby Jury Selection Includes Some Surprises

Holbrooke already enjoyed a reputation for being overbearing and peremptory--qualities that were to prove indispensable at Dayton--and he is forthright about being no shrinking violet, engagingly quoting unflattering references to himself.

CNN: Giving Peace a Chance

He wasn't a successful man but he gave the impression of being one, and when he took us out to lunch I marveled at the peremptory tone with which he addressed the waiters, brisk unsmiling men in starched white aprons who, in that adult room of wood paneling and cigar smoke, thoroughly intimidated the lanky, nervous adolescent I then was.

NPR: Excerpt: 'Trauma'