imperative

1 of 2

adjective

im·​per·​a·​tive im-ˈper-ə-tiv 

-ˈpe-rə-

1

: not to be avoided or evaded : necessary

an imperative duty

2

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

imperatively adverb

imperativeness noun

imperative

2 of 2

noun

1

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

a

: command, order

b

: rule, guide

c

: an obligatory act or duty

d

: an obligatory judgment or proposition

2

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

Synonyms

Adjective

• compulsory
• forced
• incumbent
• involuntary
• mandatory
• necessary
• nonelective
• obligatory
• peremptory
• required

Noun

• behest
• charge
• command
• commandment
• decree
• dictate
• direction
• directive
• do
• edict
• injunction
• instruction
• order
• word

Choose the Right Synonym for 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

Examples of imperative in a Sentence

Adjective

… 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.

Noun

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 on the Web

Adjective

In the same way that physical safety is a companywide imperative for manufacturing companies, cybersecurity can become a point of pride for all your leaders and employees. —Elizabeth Baskin, Forbes.com, 2 June 2025

Another point guard, whether that is Dillingham elevating or adding a veteran via free agency or trade, is imperative. —Jon Krawczynski, New York Times, 30 May 2025

Noun

Scientific leadership is not a luxury but a national imperative — essential to economic prosperity, public health, national security and cultural vitality. —John Drake, Forbes.com, 2 June 2025

The October 7th barbaric attack created a compelling imperative for Israel to ensure Hamas could never again reign over Gaza or threaten Israel from there. —Ehud Barak, Time, 2 June 2025

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English imperatyf, borrowed from Late Latin imperātīvus, from Latin imperātus, past participle of imperāre "to give orders, command" + -īvus -ive — more at emperor

Noun

borrowed from Late Latin imperātīvus, noun derivative of imperātīvus imperative entry 1

First Known Use

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2a

Noun

1530, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Phrases Containing imperative

• categorical imperative
• the imperative

Rhymes for imperative

• comparative
• declarative
• preparative

Kids Definition

imperative

1 of 2 adjective

im·​per·​a·​tive im-ˈper-ət-iv 

1

a

: of, relating to, or being the grammatical mood that expresses a command, request, or encouragement

b

: expressing a command, request, or strong encouragement

an imperative sentence

2

: impossible to avoid or ignore : urgent

imperatively adverb

imperativeness noun

imperative

2 of 2 noun

1

: the imperative mood of a verb or a verb in this mood

2

: something that is imperative (as a command or required act)

Medical Definition

imperative

adjective

im·​per·​a·​tive im-ˈper-ət-iv 

: eliciting a motor response

an imperative stimulus