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
-
For many, rocking garments and accessories that reflect the richness of Black history while moving in rhythm to the soundtracks of the holiday’s celebration was not just a necessary reprieve, but a spiritual embrace.—
Essence,
Essence,
24 June 2025
-
At that point, intravenous infusion of liquids, including electrolytes, multivitamins, glucose, and potassium, will be immediately necessary.—
Matthew Robinson,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 June 2025
Adjective
-
Too Much Going On Limits Executive Team Performance Today’s executive teams are pulled in more directions than ever—global priorities, cross-functional initiatives, urgent issues, never-ending decks.—
Elizabeth Freedman,
Forbes.com,
30 June 2025
-
In response, researchers and experts are sounding the alarm—calling for urgent, comprehensive solutions to reverse these trends and support youth wellbeing.—
Semafor Events,
semafor.com,
30 June 2025
Noun
-
The note said that one of the jurors is not able to follow the instructions given by the judge.—
Tracy Wright , Lauryn Overhultz , Maria Paronich , Brendan McDonald,
FOXNews.com,
30 June 2025
-
Judge Arun Subramanian sent his response to the jury around 2 p.m. reminding the panel to deliberate and to follow his instructions on the law.—
Larry Neumeister,
Chicago Tribune,
30 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
-
The 19-year-old collected a clean sweep of the club’s player of the season awards, becoming the first teenager since Glenn Hoddle to do so, and is viewed as an essential part of the present and future.—
Elias Burke,
New York Times,
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
-
Since then, Ben & Jerry’s politics have been a headache for its parent, and the tensions between the two have grown more acute as the business community got swept into the culture wars — first pulled to the left in the mid-2010s, then retreating rightward under the second Trump administration.—
Liz Hoffman,
semafor.com,
30 June 2025
-
Decades later, that feeling is more acute: the gay beach in Chicago where it was taken no longer exists, memorialized today by a 2.5-acre garden in memory of those who lost their lives to AIDS.—
Jacqui Palumbo,
CNN Money,
29 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Imperative.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/imperative. Accessed 6 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share