the imperative
noun
grammar
: the form that a verb or sentence has when it is expressing a command
"Eat your spinach!" is in the imperative.
Examples of the imperative in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
For Skydance, headed by David Ellison, the imperative is to scale up Paramount’s streaming biz and boost investment in original content, while slashing costs in the linear TV side of the house.
—
Todd Spangler, Variety, 3 Jan. 2025
Regulators, too, would need to adapt, balancing the need to foster innovation with the imperative to protect consumers in increasingly complex digital environments.
—Zennon Kapron, Forbes, 19 Dec. 2024
Every bit as compelling as that affirmative case for consummation of the deal is the imperative of avoiding the strategic and economic costs of rejection.
—Dan Ikenson, Forbes, 13 Dec. 2024
Climate change elevates efficiency to an environmental virtue: the imperative to burn and emit as little as possible.
—Justin Davidson, Curbed, 12 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for the imperative 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Todd Spangler, Variety, 3 Jan. 2025
Regulators, too, would need to adapt, balancing the need to foster innovation with the imperative to protect consumers in increasingly complex digital environments.
—Zennon Kapron, Forbes, 19 Dec. 2024
Every bit as compelling as that affirmative case for consummation of the deal is the imperative of avoiding the strategic and economic costs of rejection.
—Dan Ikenson, Forbes, 13 Dec. 2024
Climate change elevates efficiency to an environmental virtue: the imperative to burn and emit as little as possible.
—Justin Davidson, Curbed, 12 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for the imperative
Dictionary Entries Near the imperative
Cite this Entry
“The imperative.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/the%20imperative. Accessed 18 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share