1
as in incumbent
forcing one's compliance or participation by or as if by law
reporting signs of physical abuse is now an imperative duty for hospital and school personnel
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in necessary
impossible to do without
proper equipment is imperative for the success of this chemical experiment
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in urgent
needing immediate attention
an imperative need for medical supplies in the earthquake-ravaged country
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in instruction
a statement of what to do that must be obeyed by those concerned
a secretary of defense who was fond of issuing harshly worded imperatives
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in obligation
something one must do because of prior agreement
although he had little taste for the social imperatives that come with being governor, he put on a brave face
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of imperative
Kaitlyn May, Hartford Courant, 3 Apr. 2025
All Day All Night, 2023, uses the pastel arcs of 2012 to shape the perimeters of blank (raw) canvas: an ASL fossil, a Deaf sculpture, a set of instructions—and an imperative restatement of a pivotal work from the outset of Kim’s career.
—Mara Mills, Artforum, 1 Apr. 2025
Lea Veloso, StyleCaster, 9 Apr. 2025
To mitigate risks, organizations must treat data governance and cybersecurity as fundamental business imperatives, not afterthoughts.
—Jack McCullough, Forbes, 14 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for imperative
Adjective
Continued support for mothers and postpartum women in legislation remains imperative; without it mothers may continue to silently struggle and go unnoticed.
—Kaitlyn May, Hartford Courant, 3 Apr. 2025
All Day All Night, 2023, uses the pastel arcs of 2012 to shape the perimeters of blank (raw) canvas: an ASL fossil, a Deaf sculpture, a set of instructions—and an imperative restatement of a pivotal work from the outset of Kim’s career.
—Mara Mills, Artforum, 1 Apr. 2025
Noun
Economic imperatives power moral decisions, unfortunately.
—Lea Veloso, StyleCaster, 9 Apr. 2025
To mitigate risks, organizations must treat data governance and cybersecurity as fundamental business imperatives, not afterthoughts.
—Jack McCullough, Forbes, 14 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for imperative
Recent Examples of Synonyms for imperative
Adjective
-
The Context District 8 incumbent council member Chris Nettles and his opponent, Payton Jackson, had to be physically separated during the interaction at a debate between two candidates for Fort Worth City Council.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
13 Apr. 2025
-
But the experience of incumbent governments in 2024 elections suggests that too many may have disregarded young people’s needs, which in turn has led to anger resulting in destabilizing protests and regime change – both through democratic and undemocratic means.—
Richard Aidoo,
The Conversation,
10 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
But the success of any of NASA’s plans depends on having the money and resources necessary to carry them out.—
Wendy Whitman Cobb,
The Conversation,
10 Apr. 2025
-
These companies feel like necessary building blocks of modern existence.—
Matteo Wong,
The Atlantic,
10 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
This highlights the urgent need for tailored marketing support.—
Chris Gallagher,
USA Today,
19 Apr. 2025
-
The net result is a flurry of headlines and viral social media posts followed by an urgent platform update.—
Zak Doffman,
Forbes.com,
18 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Or, to extrapolate Anderson’s hacks to this example, creating a competition with a sales incentive would be significantly more impactful than barking instructions.—
Michelle Stansbury,
Forbes.com,
19 Apr. 2025
-
Something as simple as following care instructions can go a long way in keeping our favorite pieces looking better for longer.—
Nora Colomer,
FOXNews.com,
18 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Judge Kevin Brazile refused to grant CBS an injunction, finding that Sony is likely to prevail on its claim that CBS has failed to live up to its contractual obligations.—
Gene Maddaus,
Variety,
10 Apr. 2025
-
Even very large spending cuts will not make a meaningful dent in those existing interest obligations in a single year.—
Alicia Parlapiano,
New York Times,
13 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
The Friends of Bear Creek Stables are tasked with asking for quotes for required coverage before making that decision.—
Nollyanne Delacruz,
Mercury News,
2 Apr. 2025
-
According to the death review investigation, the facility conducted the required well-being checks on the resident every 30 minutes from 9:53 p.m. Oct. 18 through 2:13 a.m. Oct. 19.—
Forum News Service,
Twin Cities,
27 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
Forbes Daily: Join over 1 million Forbes Daily subscribers and get our best stories, exclusive reporting and essential analysis of the day’s news in your inbox every weekday.—
Larry Fleisher,
Forbes.com,
10 Apr. 2025
-
Since 2014, the ACL Hall of Fame has honored artists who have played an essential role in the series’ half-century as a premier supporter of top-shelf music.—
Jessica Nicholson,
Billboard,
10 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
The agency recalled that between 2022 and 2024, around 60% of annual admissions for severe acute malnutrition occurred during the rainy season, meaning that up to 462,000 children could be affected this year if the trend holds.—
Dr. Ewelina U. Ochab,
Forbes.com,
19 Apr. 2025
-
The acute need for companies with this level of in-depth warmth and empathy for their clients drives ITS to expand its horizon.—
William Mullane,
USA Today,
19 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Imperative.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/imperative. Accessed 24 Apr. 2025.
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