imperative

¹im·per·a·tive

adj \im-ˈper-ə-tiv, -ˈpe-rə-\

Definition of IMPERATIVE

1

a : of, relating to, or constituting the grammatical mood that expresses the will to influence the behavior of another b : expressive of a command, entreaty, or exhortation c : having power to restrain, control, and direct

2

: not to be avoided or evaded : necessary <an imperative duty>

— im·per·a·tive·ly adverb

— im·per·a·tive·ness noun

Examples of IMPERATIVE

1. “Eat your spinach!” is an imperative sentence.
2. “Help” in the sentence “Help me!” is an imperative verb.
3. a verb in the imperative mood
4. People resented his imperative tone of voice.
5. … I have begun to feel each time as if I am mutilating my antennae (which is how Rastafarians, among others, think of hair) and attenuating my power. It seems imperative not to cut my hair anymore. —Alice Walker, Living by the Word, (1981) 1988
6. This strange and distorted form of breathing could be interrupted for a minute or two by a strong effort of will, but would then resume its bizarre and imperative character. —Oliver Sacks, Awakenings, 1973
7. We had a long and interesting evening with the Katzenbachs. He and Lyndon discussed the imperative need to make Washington a law-abiding city and how to go about it. —Lady Bird Johnson, 27 Jan. 1965, A White House Diary, 1970

Origin of IMPERATIVE

Middle English imperatyf, from Late Latin imperativus, from Latin imperatus, past participle of imperare to command — more at emperor

First Known Use: 15th century

Related to IMPERATIVE

Synonyms: compulsory, forced, mandatory, incumbent, involuntary, necessary, nonelective, obligatory, peremptory, required

Antonyms: elective, optional, voluntary

Related Words: all-important, essential, indispensable, needed, requisite; insistent, persistent, pressing, urgent; demanded, enforced; coercive

Near Antonyms: chosen, discretionary; dispensable, unnecessary, unneeded, unwanted; inconsequential, insignificant, nonessential, unimportant

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See Synonym Discussion at masterful

Other Grammar and Linguistics Terms

ablaut, allusion, anacoluthon, diacritic, gerund, idiom, infinitive, metaphor, semiotics, simile

Rhymes with IMPERATIVE

declarative