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
But sometimes certitude, righteousness, and demonization of the unconvinced blinds us to the imperative of assessing those costs and consequences.
—
Dan Ikenson, Forbes, 4 Nov. 2024
For banks, the imperative is clear: adapt now or risk falling significantly behind your digital-native competitors.
—Derek White, Forbes, 1 Nov. 2024
The second thing is that military strategy and ultimately political strategy have evolved from at first being fundamentally reactive to the initial Hamas attack, from the imperative to restore Israeli deterrence and to punish Hamas.
—Isaac Chotiner, The New Yorker, 7 Oct. 2024
This is a moment not only for reflection but for bold, forward-thinking action Embracing the energy of youth, the power of technology and the imperative of sustainability will ensure that British fashion continues to be a world leader in the years to come.
—Kate Hardcastle, Forbes, 23 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for the imperative 
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Dan Ikenson, Forbes, 4 Nov. 2024
For banks, the imperative is clear: adapt now or risk falling significantly behind your digital-native competitors.
—Derek White, Forbes, 1 Nov. 2024
The second thing is that military strategy and ultimately political strategy have evolved from at first being fundamentally reactive to the initial Hamas attack, from the imperative to restore Israeli deterrence and to punish Hamas.
—Isaac Chotiner, The New Yorker, 7 Oct. 2024
This is a moment not only for reflection but for bold, forward-thinking action Embracing the energy of youth, the power of technology and the imperative of sustainability will ensure that British fashion continues to be a world leader in the years to come.
—Kate Hardcastle, Forbes, 23 Sep. 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 26 Nov. 2024.
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