1
as in instructions
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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in obligations
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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of imperatives
If allowed to stand, this poses problems for utilities, grid operators, and regulators who plan for decades-long timeframes, only to be overruled by short-term political imperatives that favor certain industries.
—
Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 9 Apr. 2026
In a new First Opinion essay, two researchers explain the importance of laboratories like this one, as well as the economic and moral imperatives to protect them.
—Theresa Gaffney, STAT, 9 Apr. 2026
But there is no description that captures the many sides of the rabbi’s soul, and so Koestenbaum offers a gloriously Sisyphean attempt, a measure of respect for the human in all its biological imperatives and psychological complexity.
—Literary Hub, 2 Apr. 2026
But where those efforts have been driven primarily by cultural imperatives, Prasad sees restoration increasingly as a commercial proposition – and one with global reach.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 1 Apr. 2026
National security imperatives now suggest that Iran will go towards nuclear weapons — that their strategy over 20 years of trying to have an open nuclear program that could be monitored by [the International Atomic Energy Agency] was a mistake.
—Mishal Husain, Bloomberg, 13 Mar. 2026
Meanwhile, an array of new pressures—state power, domestic politics, national-security imperatives—have been piled atop those already weighing on a for-profit company in a race to deploy a volatile new technology.
—Harry Booth, Time, 11 Mar. 2026
Indeed, the Framers recognized these imperatives, along with the tension inherent between congressional authority and the President’s role as Commander-in-Chief.
—Ruth Marcus, New Yorker, 5 Mar. 2026
The situation has exposed a fault line between two competing imperatives.
—Ritu Upadhyay, Footwear News, 3 Mar. 2026
Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 9 Apr. 2026
In a new First Opinion essay, two researchers explain the importance of laboratories like this one, as well as the economic and moral imperatives to protect them.
—Theresa Gaffney, STAT, 9 Apr. 2026
But there is no description that captures the many sides of the rabbi’s soul, and so Koestenbaum offers a gloriously Sisyphean attempt, a measure of respect for the human in all its biological imperatives and psychological complexity.
—Literary Hub, 2 Apr. 2026
But where those efforts have been driven primarily by cultural imperatives, Prasad sees restoration increasingly as a commercial proposition – and one with global reach.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 1 Apr. 2026
National security imperatives now suggest that Iran will go towards nuclear weapons — that their strategy over 20 years of trying to have an open nuclear program that could be monitored by [the International Atomic Energy Agency] was a mistake.
—Mishal Husain, Bloomberg, 13 Mar. 2026
Meanwhile, an array of new pressures—state power, domestic politics, national-security imperatives—have been piled atop those already weighing on a for-profit company in a race to deploy a volatile new technology.
—Harry Booth, Time, 11 Mar. 2026
Indeed, the Framers recognized these imperatives, along with the tension inherent between congressional authority and the President’s role as Commander-in-Chief.
—Ruth Marcus, New Yorker, 5 Mar. 2026
The situation has exposed a fault line between two competing imperatives.
—Ritu Upadhyay, Footwear News, 3 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for imperatives
Noun
-
Smart glasses capture what's in front of the user, the motion-tracking suit reads their posture in real time, and the AI processes all of that to generate movement instructions tailored to the specific moment.—
Omar Kardoudi
April 13,
New Atlas,
13 Apr. 2026
-
The university confirmed Thursday that these instructions have not changed.—
Paul Sisson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
13 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Whether your spring or upcoming summer schedule is packed with events and obligations, this dress makes picking an outfit effortless.—
Alicia Geigel,
Southern Living,
10 Apr. 2026
-
The amendments also provide for members to have equal rights and obligations unless the governing documents state otherwise.—
Evonne Andris,
Miami Herald,
9 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Like most of her peers, Agnes follows her country’s various repressive edicts directed toward young women.—
Daniel Fienberg,
HollywoodReporter,
2 Apr. 2026
-
Covid-19 bred doubt about government edicts and skepticism about science, provoking an existential battle for truth.—
Richard Edelman,
Time,
18 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Leaning on a colleague or a partner at home to share responsibilities lessens stress on one person.—
Metro Creative Services,
Boston Herald,
13 Apr. 2026
-
The three friends are back for their annual girls' weekend, minus husbands, responsibilities, or the stress of parking.—
Ted Scouten,
CBS News,
11 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Artist Davide Balula had three performers, clad in black and white, dancing in slow motion, apparently carrying out directives for how to arrange themselves that appeared on a screen, as if in a high-concept version of the old Milton Bradley game Twister.—
Brian Boucher,
ARTnews.com,
16 Apr. 2026
-
Afterward, Moore issued three directives clarifying that state and local agencies may still cooperate with ICE on criminal matters and immigration detainers.—
Jeff Barker,
Baltimore Sun,
13 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Seasonal transitions impact plant care needs, making proper adjustments key to keeping them healthy.—
Alexandra Jones,
The Spruce,
11 Apr. 2026
-
The Republican supermajority is reluctant to stop an unlimited cash flow to an ever-expanding school voucher program that bleeds billions from public schools, despite ample proof of sloppy bookkeeping and zero proof that voucher students’ needs are adequately met.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
11 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Fisher, a former amateur boxer, started going viral in 2022 with his reviews of Chinese takeaway orders and trusty catchprase.—
Max Goldbart,
Deadline,
13 Apr. 2026
-
However, StyleCaster may receive a commission on orders placed through its retail links, and the retailer may receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes.—
Gina Vaynshteyn,
StyleCaster,
13 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The Aviators — who lost to the Renegades, 28-23, on Sunday — announced after Ginn's arrest that offensive coordinator Todd Haley would handle head coaching duties for the team, per Yahoo Sports.—
Charlotte Phillipp,
PEOPLE,
13 Apr. 2026
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Minesweeping duties were turned over to three littoral combat ships equipped with the mine-countermeasures package, but the location of those ships has not been disclosed.—
Brad Lendon,
CNN Money,
13 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Imperatives.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/imperatives. Accessed 18 Apr. 2026.
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