imperative

play

adjective im·per·a·tive \ 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

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imperatively

adverb

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imperativeness

noun

See imperative defined for English-language learners

See imperative defined for kids

Examples of imperative in a Sentence

… 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
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
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
“Eat your spinach!” is an imperative sentence.
“Help” in the sentence “Help me!” is an imperative verb.
a verb in the imperative mood
People resented his imperative tone of voice.

Recent Examples of imperative from the Web

But in the Gothic novel a certain imperative applies.

— patrick mcgrath, New York Times, "Inside Lizzie Borden’s House of Horror," 22 Aug. 2017
The ACLU says there’s a legal and moral imperative to hold the men accountable.

— martha bellisle, The Seattle Times, "Psychologists not liable for CIA interrogations, defense lawyers in Spokane case say," 27 July 2017
The second imperative is to make sure that edtech narrows, rather than widens, inequalities in education.

— The Economist, "Education technologyTogether, technology and teachers can revamp schools," 22 July 2017
Following their example, Barks was able to create an American Rumi: one who speaks across the centuries with a voice as direct and imperative as a tug on the shirt: Muhammad rode his horse through the nightsky.

— olivia b. waxman, Time, "Beyoncé and Jay-Z Named Their Child Rumi. Here's What to Know About the History Behind the Name," 15 July 2017
So what Ted Cruz did is ignore the moral imperative here to speak out . .

— sarah ellison, The Hive, "A Definitive Guide to the G.O.P. Insiders Enabling Donald Trump," 11 July 2017
With all our progress on feminist issues, how can such a simple biological imperative remain so stigmatized?

— ashley edwards walker, Glamour, "This Photo of Pink Breastfeeding Her Son Is Proof Moms Are Queens of Multitasking," 9 July 2017
With all our progress on feminist issues, how can such a simple biological imperative remain so stigmatized?

— andrea park, Allure, "Amanda Seyfried Just Shut Down Critics Who Shame Moms for Breastfeeding," 7 July 2017
And in modern college basketball, shooting depth is an imperative.

— zach osterman, The Courier-Journal, "Recruiting: Who are some of IU's top 2018 targets?," 5 July 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'imperative.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of imperative

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 15th century

See Words from the same year

imperative Synonyms

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

Synonym Discussion of imperative

masterful, domineering, imperious, peremptory, imperative mean tending to impose one's will on others. masterful implies a strong personality and ability to act authoritatively.

- her masterful personality soon dominated the movement

domineering suggests an overbearing or arbitrary manner and an obstinate determination to enforce one's will.

- children controlled by domineering parents

imperious implies a commanding nature or manner and often suggests arrogant assurance.

- an imperious executive used to getting his own way

peremptory implies an abrupt dictatorial manner coupled with an unwillingness to brook disobedience or dissent.

- given a peremptory dismissal

imperative implies peremptoriness arising more from the urgency of the situation than from an inherent will to dominate.

- an imperative appeal for assistance

Other Grammar and Linguistics Terms

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

imperative

play

noun im·per·a·tive \ im-ˈper-ə-tiv , -ˈpe-rə- \

Definition of imperative

1 :the grammatical mood that expresses the will to influence the behavior of another or a verb form or verbal phrase expressing it

2 :something that is imperative (see ¹imperative): such as

a :command, order

b :rule, guide

c :an obligatory act or duty

d :an obligatory judgment or proposition

See imperative defined for English-language learners

Examples of imperative in a Sentence

Ellroy has got to be the only writer who still uses "dig" as an imperative … —Laura Miller, New York Times Book Review, 20 May 2001
Indeed, under pressure from a new way of life in which radiant heat from woodburning stoves must circulate unimpeded by dividers, virtually every house with a chimney today has abandoned the closed-door imperative of the high-technology kitchen. —Maxine Kumin, In Deep, 1987
"Maturity" had been a code word … for marriage and settling down; "growth" implied a plurality of legitimate options, if not a positive imperative to keep moving from one insight or experience to the next. —Barbara Ehrenreich, New York Times Magazine, 20 May 1984
She considers it a moral imperative to help people in need.
“Eat your spinach!” is in the imperative.
“Go” and “buy” are imperatives in the sentence “Please go to the store and buy some milk.”

Recent Examples of imperative from the Web

Technological advances, economic imperatives, and safety and environmental concerns are converging to push driverless cars into the mainstream—and ride-sharing services may be the way much of the public gets introduced to them.

— michal lev-ram, Fortune, "How Lyft Could Defeat Uber," 19 July 2017
Will is merely one instantiation of broader, Manifest Destiny-style imperative to make things hot.

— eric thurm, Esquire, "Will Is the Latest Attempt to Make History Sexy Again," 11 July 2017
That question still looms, and may eventually have something to do with biological imperatives other than sinking teeth into flesh.

— brian switek, Scientific American Blog Network, "Nothing but the Tooth," 10 July 2017
John Delury, an Asia expert at Seoul's Yonsei University, said there maybe a political imperative for Trump to downplay the significance of the test.

— the washington post, NOLA.com, "North Korea claims launch of ballistic missile that could reach United States," 4 July 2017
The kid ends up getting buffeted by words and different requests or imperatives.

— carolyn hax, Philly.com, "Clash of the different parenting styles," 24 June 2017
The kid ends up getting blown about by words and different requests or imperatives.

— carolyn hax, Detroit Free Press, "When parenting styles clash," 24 June 2017
The kid ends up getting buffeted — blown about, not smorgasbord-ed — by words and different requests or imperatives.

— carolyn hax, The Seattle Times, "Clash of parenting styles cries out for counseling," 24 June 2017
The kid ends up getting buffeted — blown about, not smorgasbord-ed — by words and different requests or imperatives.

— carolyn hax, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Carolyn Hax: Clash of the different parenting styles," 23 June 2017

Origin and Etymology of imperative

see ¹imperative

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1530

See Words from the same year

imperative Synonyms

IMPERATIVE Defined for English Language Learners

imperative

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adjective

Definition of imperative for English Language Learners

: very important
grammar : having the form that expresses a command rather than a statement or a question
: expressing a command in a forceful and confident way

imperative

play

noun

Definition of imperative for English Language Learners

: a command, rule, duty, etc., that is very important or necessary
grammar the imperative : the form that a verb or sentence has when it is expressing a command
: an imperative verb or sentence

IMPERATIVE Defined for Kids

imperative

play

adjective im·per·a·tive \ im-ˈper-ə-tiv \

Definition of imperative for Students

1 :expressing a command, request, or strong encouragement

“Come here!” is an imperative sentence.

2 :urgent 1

It is imperative that you see a doctor.

Medical Dictionary

imperative

play

adjective im·per·a·tive \ im-ˈper-ət-iv \

medical Definition of imperative

:eliciting a motor response

an imperative stimulus

Learn More about imperative

See words that rhyme with imperative Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for imperative Spanish Central: Translation of imperative Nglish: Translation of imperative for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of imperative for Arabic speakers

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Other Grammar and Linguistics Terms

imperative

Definition of imperative

Examples of imperative in a Sentence

Recent Examples of imperative from the Web

Origin and Etymology of imperative

imperative Synonyms

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IMPERATIVE Defined for English Language Learners

imperative

Definition of imperative for English Language Learners

imperative

Definition of imperative for English Language Learners

IMPERATIVE Defined for Kids

imperative

Definition of imperative for Students

Medical Dictionary

imperative

medical Definition of imperative

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