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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in necessary
impossible to do without
proper equipment is imperative for the success of this chemical experiment
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in urgent
needing immediate attention
an imperative need for medical supplies in the earthquake-ravaged country
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of imperative
Ad Pro, Architectural Digest, 7 Oct. 2025
The mass deployment of technologies that these minerals make possible—fleets of electric cars; flocks of wind turbines; a cleaner energy grid—may be imperative if our society is to reduce its reliance on fossil fuels and thereby avoid the most devastating impacts of climate change.
—Scott W. Stern, The Atlantic, 2 Oct. 2025
Helen Ouyang, The Atlantic, 21 Oct. 2025
While many factors are outside the board’s control, the opportunity to set the tone for well-being as an imperative—not a nice to have—can start with us.
—Lara Abrash, Fortune, 11 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for imperative
Adjective
Honing your brand identity is imperative for a design firm today.
—Ad Pro, Architectural Digest, 7 Oct. 2025
The mass deployment of technologies that these minerals make possible—fleets of electric cars; flocks of wind turbines; a cleaner energy grid—may be imperative if our society is to reduce its reliance on fossil fuels and thereby avoid the most devastating impacts of climate change.
—Scott W. Stern, The Atlantic, 2 Oct. 2025
Noun
The clinic’s ethos—just take care of patients—is both an ethical imperative and a practical tactic to keep the clinic running at full speed.
—Helen Ouyang, The Atlantic, 21 Oct. 2025
While many factors are outside the board’s control, the opportunity to set the tone for well-being as an imperative—not a nice to have—can start with us.
—Lara Abrash, Fortune, 11 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for imperative
Recent Examples of Synonyms for imperative
Adjective
-
Midterms Negative ratings for an incumbent president are not positive indicators for his party come midterm elections.—
Emily Guskin,
ABC News,
2 Nov. 2025
-
Cornelius also gets a mayoral rematch with incumbent Woody Washam facing Denis Bilodeau again as well as a third challenger, Kenny Campbell.—
Josh Bergeron,
Charlotte Observer,
2 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
In both cases, Israel sought to justify its aggression as a necessary security measure to protect its southern communities.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
3 Nov. 2025
-
Improvements in several fields are necessary to achieve this capacity.—
Jijo Malayil,
Interesting Engineering,
2 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
The plot unfolds at the urgent but erratic pace of a life-altering business deal, as Bonitzer unfussily steers us through a series of small rooms as people scramble to determine the proper thing to do with Schiele’s painting.—
David Ehrlich,
IndieWire,
29 Oct. 2025
-
To Trump, of course, gutting the Civil Rights Act is likely to be a point of pride, enabling the government to focus on more urgent matters, such as protecting white students from the purportedly harmful effects of diversity-equity-and-inclusion programs.—
Eyal Press,
New Yorker,
29 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
In Uttar Pradesh, a development initiative provided community health workers with a smartphone app that combined diagnostic and treatment instructions with a client-management program.—
John Cassidy,
New Yorker,
3 Nov. 2025
-
Customers can tap their phones to the bag’s logo to access brand videos, authentication verification, care instructions, and personalized questionnaires.—
Ritu Upadhyay,
Footwear News,
3 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Regardless of the circumstances surrounding the tenant’s passing, the lease and all its terms and obligations transfer to their estate, which is legally responsible for paying rent until the contract is terminated.—
Lew Sichelman,
Miami Herald,
31 Oct. 2025
-
This ratio indicates if your business can cover its debt obligations with its earnings.—
Danielle Higley,
CNBC,
31 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
This summer, Wyoming’s Game and Fish Commission passed regulations that designated some sections fly-only and required anglers to pinch their barbs.—
Christine Peterson,
Outdoor Life,
30 Oct. 2025
-
The Chamber argues that the fee was imposed without congressional approval or required rulemaking, in violation of the Administrative Procedure Act.—
Robert Alexander,
MSNBC Newsweek,
27 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
This black turtleneck top is a layering essential that works equally well with maxi skirts and wide-leg jeans.—
Jamie Allison Sanders,
PEOPLE,
30 Oct. 2025
-
But fostering creativity, curiosity, and empathy are also essential for organizations to remain competitive and resilient.—
Fortune Editors,
Fortune,
29 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
According to Richards’ method, all meaning would be yielded by acute attention to the thing itself.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
4 Nov. 2025
-
Across Sudan, the IPC said more than 21 million people, or 45% of the population, faced acute food insecurity as of September, a 6% drop from the previous report which covered the period from December 2024 until May this year.—
NPR,
NPR,
3 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Imperative.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/imperative. Accessed 5 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share