Synonyms of imperative

imperative 1 of 2

adjective

im-ˈper-ə-tiv 

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

• incumbent
• required
• mandatory
• compulsory
• necessary
• urgent
• needed
• obligatory
• essential
• indispensable
• forced
• involuntary
• all-important
• requisite
• peremptory
• nonelective
• insistent
• persistent
• demanded
• enforced
• pressing
• coercive

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• optional
• voluntary
• elective
• unnecessary
• discretionary
• unwanted
• unimportant
• insignificant
• chosen
• inconsequential
• dispensable
• unneeded
• nonessential

2

as in necessary

impossible to do without

proper equipment is imperative for the success of this chemical experiment

Synonyms & Similar Words

• necessary
• essential
• integral
• required
• needed
• needful
• vital
• critical
• crucial
• important
• must-have
• requisite
• indispensable
• all-important
• mandatory
• of the essence
• compulsory
• prerequisite
• key
• basic
• fundamental
• major
• necessitous
• urgent
• meaningful
• obligatory
• organic
• momentous
• central
• insistent
• substantial
• significant
• persistent
• pressing
• consequential
• nonelective
• weighty
• material

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• unnecessary
• needless
• nonessential
• unwanted
• unimportant
• dispensable
• unessential
• unneeded
• undesired
• external
• insignificant
• inessential
• extra
• superfluous
• inconsequential
• excess
• extraneous
• surplus

3

as in urgent

needing immediate attention

an imperative need for medical supplies in the earthquake-ravaged country

Synonyms & Similar Words

• urgent
• acute
• critical
• compelling
• pressing
• emergent
• dire
• intense
• crying
• exigent
• desperate
• crucial
• instant
• serious
• immediate
• imperious
• importunate
• insistent
• clamant
• overriding
• burning
• extreme
• necessitous
• dangerous
• demanding
• vital
• hazardous
• life-and-death
• precarious
• life-or-death
• perilous
• severe
• explosive
• grave
• unstable

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• trivial
• minor
• unimportant
• incidental
• negligible
• noncritical
• safe
• low-pressure
• stable
• nonurgent
• nonthreatening

imperative

2 of 2

noun

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

• instruction
• order
• edict
• directive
• do
• direction
• injunction
• commandment
• requirement
• command
• decree
• word
• dictate
• behest
• charge
• demand
• mandate
• law
• rule
• regulation
• prescription
• statute
• precept
• ordinance
• counterorder
• countermand
• prescript

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• appeal
• petition
• plea
• proposal
• entreaty
• recommendation
• urging
• suggestion

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

• obligation
• duty
• responsibility
• need
• commitment
• promise
• vow
• requirement
• burden
• office
• constraint
• pledge
• do
• must
• pact
• charge
• incumbency
• devoir
• oath
• payment
• arrangement
• compulsion
• word
• contract
• trust
• compact
• setup
• debt
• covenant
• restraint
• tribute
• prearrangement
• force
• coercion
• reservation
• engagement
• troth
• appointment
• onus
• duress

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• relief
• stay
• grace
• discharge
• exemption
• ease
• waiver
• release
• postponement
• choice
• alternative
• option
• selection
• preference
• loophole
• pick

Synonym Chooser

How is the word imperative distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of imperative are domineering, imperious, masterful, and peremptory. While all these words mean "tending to impose one's will on others," imperative implies peremptoriness arising more from the urgency of the situation than from an inherent will to dominate.

an imperative appeal for assistance

When would domineering be a good substitute for imperative?

The meanings of domineering and imperative largely overlap; however, domineering suggests an overbearing or arbitrary manner and an obstinate determination to enforce one's will.

children controlled by domineering parents

When is imperious a more appropriate choice than imperative?

While the synonyms imperious and imperative are close in meaning, imperious implies a commanding nature or manner and often suggests arrogant assurance.

an imperious executive used to getting his own way

When might masterful be a better fit than imperative?

Although the words masterful and imperative have much in common, masterful implies a strong personality and ability to act authoritatively.

her masterful personality soon dominated the movement

When is it sensible to use peremptory instead of imperative?

While in some cases nearly identical to imperative, peremptory implies an abrupt dictatorial manner coupled with an unwillingness to brook disobedience or dissent.

given a peremptory dismissal

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of imperative

Adjective

Sectors like steel, manufacturing, logistics and infrastructure power imperative operations, from building warships and tanks to maintaining vital infrastructure that supports everyday life. —John Ganem, Forbes.com, 5 May 2025

The governor’s other main criminal justice imperative in the budget was to change how prosecutors exchange evidence with defense lawyers before a trial. —Grace Ashford, New York Times, 2 May 2025

Noun

But in New York, the budget can also be a blueprint for an assortment of political imperatives, from criminal justice changes to cellphone bans in public schools. —Grace Ashford, New York Times, 2 May 2025

Pope Francis taught us that truthful acknowledgment is a moral imperative. —Lynn Zovighian, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 May 2025