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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of imperative
Paige Perricone, The Denver Post, 7 Mar. 2025
But this imperative frames blindness as a visual death sentence, and turns their trip into a sort of death-row last meal.
—Andrew Leland, Travel + Leisure, 6 Mar. 2025
Dan Walters, The Mercury News, 25 Feb. 2025
While well-intentioned, this approach risks framing justice as a European issue rather than a universal imperative.
—Gyunduz Mamedov, TIME, 24 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for imperative
Adjective
Keeping these programs up and running is imperative to the health and wellness of our youth.
—Paige Perricone, The Denver Post, 7 Mar. 2025
But this imperative frames blindness as a visual death sentence, and turns their trip into a sort of death-row last meal.
—Andrew Leland, Travel + Leisure, 6 Mar. 2025
Noun
Whether Lara’s rate-making overhaul will fulfill both of those imperatives remains uncertain.
—Dan Walters, The Mercury News, 25 Feb. 2025
While well-intentioned, this approach risks framing justice as a European issue rather than a universal imperative.
—Gyunduz Mamedov, TIME, 24 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for imperative
Recent Examples of Synonyms for imperative
Adjective
-
Fleming’s internal polling shows him in a close race against the incumbent senator.—
Mabinty Quarshie,
Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government,
9 Mar. 2025
-
But try telling that to anyone who has ever been mayor of New York City, including the incumbent mayor, Eric Adams, who is fighting an uphill battle to stay in City Hall in the face of his own scandal.—
Leonard Greene,
New York Daily News,
9 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
Her teachings focus on necessary skills in death and death education without ignoring the crucial business and marketing training side.—
Zoey Lyttle,
People.com,
7 Mar. 2025
-
Additional studies are necessary to understand how acetyl-L-carnitine impacts neuropathy and whether the benefit depends on the type of neuropathy.—
Amy Brownstein, MS, RDN,
Verywell Health,
7 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
The big picture: The closure comes after the National Transportation Safety Board's urgent recommendation earlier this week, following the deadliest aviation disaster in the U.S. in decades.—
Sareen Habeshian,
Axios,
14 Mar. 2025
-
The National Transportation Safety Board says there are urgent safety concerns in the airspace around Reagan National Airport outside Washington, D.C.—
Domenico Montanaro,
NPR,
14 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
Keep tower fans dust-free and in good working condition with these easy-to-follow cleaning instructions.—
Jolie Kerr,
Better Homes & Gardens,
14 Mar. 2025
-
Consider spreading a very thin (¼-inch thick) layer of topsoil across the planting area before sowing seed according to label instructions.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
14 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
Robert Newton, a Columbia oceanographer, said the grant cancellations were based on a falsehood that Columbia had abandoned its obligations to its Jewish students.—
Cayla Bamberger,
New York Daily News,
7 Mar. 2025
-
The person literally has no specific duties or obligations outlined in the state constitution other than remaining alive.—
Scott Maxwell,
Orlando Sentinel,
7 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
The intrigue: Other federal agencies receive money from Congress to make required employer contributions; the Post Office doesn't.—
Felix Salmon,
Axios,
24 Feb. 2025
-
Critics argue, though, that such crackdowns invariably ensnare the poor and the homeless in the criminal justice system, such as when a warrant is issued because someone with an initial summons doesn’t show up in court or pay the required fine.—
Julian Roberts-Grmela,
New York Daily News,
23 Feb. 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.—
Trent Reinsmith,
Forbes,
18 Mar. 2025
-
And the Intelligent Mirror prototype scans your face and monitors your most essential health statistics in one convenient, portable mirror package.—
Lisa A. Beach,
USA TODAY,
17 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
The imbalance between the scarce supply of AI talent and the acute demand for it at Big Tech companies and startups alike, poses a looming predicament for the fast-growing AI industry.—
Sharon Goldman,
Fortune,
15 Mar. 2025
-
Arsenal and Arteta’s long-term admiration remains and their need for a centre-forward is acute.—
Chris Waugh,
The Athletic,
14 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Imperative.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/imperative. Accessed 22 Mar. 2025.
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