Definition of imperative
1a : of, relating to, or constituting the grammatical mood that expresses the will to influence the behavior of anotherb : expressive of a command, entreaty, or exhortationc : having power to restrain, control, and direct
2 : not to be avoided or evaded : necessary an imperative duty
imperatively
adverbimperativeness
nounRead the Latest from M-W
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
-
The second imperative is to make sure that edtech narrows, rather than widens, inequalities in education.
-
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.
-
With all our progress on feminist issues, how can such a simple biological imperative remain so stigmatized?
-
And in modern college basketball, shooting depth is an imperative.
-
Village design member Dawn Perfect asked if completion of the Ramona Street Extension, which would connect Ramona Street with Warnock Drive, is imperative to Hagey’s plans.
-
Here's how to get the job done like an actual pro: Owning a good trimmer is imperative.
-
Because onions are the backbone of this recipe, this step is imperative in order to achieve the magical flavor nuances from sweet and savory caramelized onions.
-
The intervention was imperative given that the U.S. President had broken protocol by not issuing a Chinese New Year's greeting on the first day of the auspicious holiday.
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
Synonym Discussion of imperative
Other Grammar and Linguistics Terms
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 asa : command, orderb : rule, guidec : an obligatory act or dutyd : an obligatory judgment or proposition
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
-
That question still looms, and may eventually have something to do with biological imperatives other than sinking teeth into flesh.
-
The kid ends up getting blown about by words and different requests or imperatives.
-
The kid ends up getting buffeted — blown about, not smorgasbord-ed — by words and different requests or imperatives.
-
As far as Berner, the minister of Transport, is concerned, this kind of innovative transportation thinking is a moral and environmental imperative for Finland, as well as an economic one.
-
Tillerson is not a politician, and his step-by-step approach to evaluating job candidates may not always fit the expected tempo or political imperatives of Washington, senior aide R.C. Hammond said.
-
Obama's approach often seemed reducible to a single imperative: Don't make things worse.
-
Song for Biko is a classic, blending the imperatives of kwela music with the loose melodic generosity of Ornette Coleman's famous quartet with Cherry.
-
No one underestimates the challenges of devising a fair and robust shared refugee policy or of balancing humanitarian imperatives with fraught domestic political agendas.
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
see 1imperative
IMPERATIVE Defined for English Language Learners
imperative
playDefinition 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
playDefinition 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
Medical Dictionary
imperative
playMedical 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
Seen and Heard
What made you want to look up imperative? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).
Writing? Check your grammar now!