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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of imperatives
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
Unlike many slow-moving urban mammoths, this could be a model for how to integrate local desires with capitalist imperatives to deliver your friendly neighborhood megaproject.
—Justin Davidson, Curbed, 10 Feb. 2026
For firms seeking success in today’s high-pressure market, there are a few core imperatives.
—Abdulla Belhoul, Fortune, 4 Feb. 2026
Today, nuclear is firmly back on the global energy agenda, driven by the dual imperatives of energy security and climate goals.
—Scott Montgomery, Forbes.com, 30 Jan. 2026
This past year also was elevated by the success that the league’s TV partners had in harnessing the lure of live game coverage to drive larger corporate imperatives — namely, building up the streaming platforms that represent the future for the parent companies of NBC, CBS, ESPN/ABC and Fox.
—Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 28 Jan. 2026
Who knows the reasons for this choice—band dynamics are a psychedelic kaleidoscope of competing imperatives—but whatever the case, by 2003’s Dear Catastrophe Waitress, Murdoch had been largely restored to creative primacy, on both that record and The Life Pursuit.
—Elizabeth Nelson, Pitchfork, 22 Jan. 2026
The meeting comes as the president reignites his push to take control of Greenland, citing national security imperatives.
—Jared Gans, The Hill, 14 Jan. 2026
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
Unlike many slow-moving urban mammoths, this could be a model for how to integrate local desires with capitalist imperatives to deliver your friendly neighborhood megaproject.
—Justin Davidson, Curbed, 10 Feb. 2026
For firms seeking success in today’s high-pressure market, there are a few core imperatives.
—Abdulla Belhoul, Fortune, 4 Feb. 2026
Today, nuclear is firmly back on the global energy agenda, driven by the dual imperatives of energy security and climate goals.
—Scott Montgomery, Forbes.com, 30 Jan. 2026
This past year also was elevated by the success that the league’s TV partners had in harnessing the lure of live game coverage to drive larger corporate imperatives — namely, building up the streaming platforms that represent the future for the parent companies of NBC, CBS, ESPN/ABC and Fox.
—Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 28 Jan. 2026
Who knows the reasons for this choice—band dynamics are a psychedelic kaleidoscope of competing imperatives—but whatever the case, by 2003’s Dear Catastrophe Waitress, Murdoch had been largely restored to creative primacy, on both that record and The Life Pursuit.
—Elizabeth Nelson, Pitchfork, 22 Jan. 2026
The meeting comes as the president reignites his push to take control of Greenland, citing national security imperatives.
—Jared Gans, The Hill, 14 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for imperatives
Noun
-
Let sit for 20 to 60 minutes, depending on the product's instructions.—
Tessa Cooper,
The Spruce,
16 Mar. 2026
-
Draft an important note, then revisit instructions, while keeping your tone respectful and firm.—
Tarot.com,
Chicago Tribune,
16 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The inputs are shrinking, and the obligations are not.—
Brady Knox,
The Washington Examiner,
14 Mar. 2026
-
Following the game, Adebayo needed to fulfill media obligations after his historic night.—
Anthony Chiang,
Miami Herald,
14 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Covid-19 bred doubt about government edicts and skepticism about science, provoking an existential battle for truth.—
Richard Edelman,
Time,
18 Jan. 2026
-
Trump edicts weigh on stocks this week Geopolitical risks have weighed on investor sentiment this week.—
Pia Singh,
CNBC,
14 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Monday’s report still raises real questions about how Brooklyn will structure its ballhandling and scoring responsibilities.—
C.J. Holmes,
New York Daily News,
16 Mar. 2026
-
City staff said several of the recommendations fall within the Human Relations Commission’s existing responsibilities.—
Daniel Lempres,
Sacbee.com,
16 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Over the past week, authorities in Vietnam, Pakistan, Thailand and the Philippines issued a series of directives encouraging flexible work, including working from home, 4-day workweeks, and taking the stairs instead of an elevator.—
Tristan Bove,
Fortune,
12 Mar. 2026
-
Operational restrictions are communicated through Notices to Airmen, or NOTAMs—directives issued by aviation authorities that inform airlines which routes remain open and which must be avoided.—
Hana Al-Khodairi,
Condé Nast Traveler,
11 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
But not all airlines hedge, and those that do are usually only protected for a portion of their fuel needs, meaning prolonged price surges may cause more carriers to raise fares.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
15 Mar. 2026
-
With Luna gliding into your ever-practical 6th house, you may be tempted to ignore your inner needs in favor of getting as much done as possible.—
Tarot.com,
New York Daily News,
14 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The Israeli army has issued evacuation orders for many neighborhoods in Beirut as well as southern Lebanon.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
17 Mar. 2026
-
Inside the Linebacker Lounge on Sunday night, Tom MacDonald took orders and reunited with old teammates.—
Andrew Carter,
Chicago Tribune,
17 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The Navy said four littoral combat ships (LCS) with the mine-countermeasure mission module would take over those duties.—
Brad Lendon,
CNN Money,
16 Mar. 2026
-
So Hennig, for the first time since joining the Wild, stayed home with mom and healthy baby, dealing with the joys and challenges of newborn parenting and handing off some of his duties to other members of the staff for the games in Las Vegas and Denver.—
Jess Myers,
Twin Cities,
16 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Imperatives.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/imperatives. Accessed 18 Mar. 2026.
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