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
Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 24 June 2025
To teach these fixtures of Asian American literature is thus to explain their political projects—a claiming of America that was an imperative then, if awkwardly nationalistic and settler colonialist now—while helping students also to hold the texts accountable.
—Erin Khuê Ninh
june 17, Literary Hub, 17 June 2025
John Birdsall
june 20, Literary Hub, 20 June 2025
As such, the need for cooler heads to prevail is an imperative.
—Dan Perry, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for imperative
Adjective
The Hornets also hold selection Nos. 33 and 34 in the second round, which takes place Thursday, and as a small market team hitting on their picks is extremely imperative.
—Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 24 June 2025
To teach these fixtures of Asian American literature is thus to explain their political projects—a claiming of America that was an imperative then, if awkwardly nationalistic and settler colonialist now—while helping students also to hold the texts accountable.
—Erin Khuê Ninh
june 17, Literary Hub, 17 June 2025
Noun
Queerness is making peace with estrangement, a digging in and making do where the alternative—the smothering imperatives of the dominant world—is what makes making do feel like joy.
—John Birdsall
june 20, Literary Hub, 20 June 2025
As such, the need for cooler heads to prevail is an imperative.
—Dan Perry, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for imperative
Recent Examples of Synonyms for imperative
Adjective
-
The general mayoral election will take place on November 4, with the Democratic candidate set to face competition from incumbent Mayor Eric Adams - a Democrat who is running as an independent - and Republican candidate and Guardian Angels founder Curtis Sliwa.—
Marni Rose McFall,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 June 2025
-
The young Democrat is now preparing for a fall campaign that will pit him against incumbent Mayor Eric Adams, now running as an independent.—
David Weigel,
semafor.com,
25 June 2025
Adjective
-
About 93% of physicians reported that prior authorization delayed access to necessary care, and 82% said that the process can, at least sometimes, lead to patients abandoning treatment altogether, the survey found.—
Chantelle Lee,
Time,
24 June 2025
-
Employees must continually understand their highest-level priorities and make necessary adjustments as needed.—
Tony Gambill,
Forbes.com,
24 June 2025
Adjective
-
The vet advised going to the ER, where staff treated it as an urgent case due to potential heart issues.—
Lucy Notarantonio,
MSNBC Newsweek,
18 June 2025
-
If a passenger or crew member requires urgent medical attention that cannot be managed onboard, the captain may divert the ship to the nearest port with adequate facilities.—
David Nikel,
Forbes.com,
18 June 2025
Noun
-
Where applicable, include order confirmations, status updates, and next-step instructions.—
Jodie Cook,
Forbes.com,
18 June 2025
-
Earlier instructions to stop antibiotics were premature, and a longer course was necessary.—
Lucy Notarantonio,
MSNBC Newsweek,
18 June 2025
Noun
-
Iran likely would not have been able to breach its nonproliferation obligations — as reported by the U.N. International Atomic Energy Agency — had Trump not trashed the pact that President Obama and other world powers, including Russia, made with Iran to limit its nuclear program.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
24 June 2025
-
During a Monday appearance on Fox News, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said the administration had taken steps to inform senior Democratic leaders about the strikes in advance, despite having no obligation to do so.—
Samantha-Jo Roth,
The Washington Examiner,
24 June 2025
Adjective
-
Doing so required China, Russia, and Washington’s European allies to sign on to a sanctions regime.—
KORI SCHAKE,
Foreign Affairs,
24 June 2025
-
These aren’t participation trophies but achievements that required skill, preparation and genuine contribution.—
Sughnen Yongo,
Forbes.com,
21 June 2025
Adjective
-
Pollinators are essential for the reproduction of more than 75% of the world’s flowering plants and nearly 35% of global food crops.1 To help these hard workers out, eco-conscious gardeners are turning to simple, effective solutions, like pollinator pots and bowls.—
Elizabeth Fogarty,
Better Homes & Gardens,
21 June 2025
-
Forbes Daily: Join over 1 million Forbes Daily subscribers and get our best stories, exclusive reporting and essential analysis of the day’s news in your inbox every weekday.—
Tom Sanderson,
Forbes.com,
21 June 2025
Adjective
-
On Tuesday, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration gave the company’s acute myeloid leukemia drug CER-1236 an orphan drug designation .—
Brian Evans,
CNBC,
18 June 2025
-
With internal travel banned and markets shuttered, food shortages became acute.—
Will Ripley,
CNN Money,
18 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Imperative.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/imperative. Accessed 30 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share