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
For pop music in particular, narrative can be fundamentally in tension with other imperatives.
—
Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 4 Sep. 2025
The Museum also preserved the open greenspace and addressed the environmental imperatives associated with its location at the center of the Wissahickon Watershed, which is estimated to provide between 15 and 20 percent of Philadelphia’s drinking water.
—Chadd Scott, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025
With their border dispute locked in a stalemate, India is choosing to insulate its diplomatic and economic imperatives from the security conflict with China, according to Kewalramani from the Takshashila Institution.
—Rhea Mogul, CNN Money, 27 Aug. 2025
All political leaders must weigh the competing imperatives of public needs, personal goals and partisan responsibilities.
—John T. Shaw, Chicago Tribune, 25 Aug. 2025
For individual engineers, the Microsoft study’s findings suggest several strategic imperatives.
—Srishti Gupta, Interesting Engineering, 12 Aug. 2025
To mitigate risks, organizations must treat data governance and cybersecurity as fundamental business imperatives, not afterthoughts.
—Jack McCullough, Forbes, 14 Mar. 2025
Related Articles The quick social media-friendly ads feature Knowles-Carter in ways that further Levi’s current business imperatives — like its growing women’s business or head-to-toe denim dressing — and open a window on the brand’s deep past.
—Evan Clark, WWD, 14 Mar. 2025
The underlying security, economic, and ideological imperatives that have driven the United States and China to reduce their reliance on each other for a decade remain in place.
—Brendan Kelly, Foreign Affairs, 7 Mar. 2025
Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 4 Sep. 2025
The Museum also preserved the open greenspace and addressed the environmental imperatives associated with its location at the center of the Wissahickon Watershed, which is estimated to provide between 15 and 20 percent of Philadelphia’s drinking water.
—Chadd Scott, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025
With their border dispute locked in a stalemate, India is choosing to insulate its diplomatic and economic imperatives from the security conflict with China, according to Kewalramani from the Takshashila Institution.
—Rhea Mogul, CNN Money, 27 Aug. 2025
All political leaders must weigh the competing imperatives of public needs, personal goals and partisan responsibilities.
—John T. Shaw, Chicago Tribune, 25 Aug. 2025
For individual engineers, the Microsoft study’s findings suggest several strategic imperatives.
—Srishti Gupta, Interesting Engineering, 12 Aug. 2025
To mitigate risks, organizations must treat data governance and cybersecurity as fundamental business imperatives, not afterthoughts.
—Jack McCullough, Forbes, 14 Mar. 2025
Related Articles The quick social media-friendly ads feature Knowles-Carter in ways that further Levi’s current business imperatives — like its growing women’s business or head-to-toe denim dressing — and open a window on the brand’s deep past.
—Evan Clark, WWD, 14 Mar. 2025
The underlying security, economic, and ideological imperatives that have driven the United States and China to reduce their reliance on each other for a decade remain in place.
—Brendan Kelly, Foreign Affairs, 7 Mar. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for imperatives
Noun
-
Follow evacuation instructions without delay.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
4 Sep. 2025
-
Follow the instructions of the authorities on the ground.—
Hannah Parry,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
For applicants, this begins with ensuring current compliance by filing all required returns, paying any outstanding liabilities, and meeting foreign asset and accounts information reporting obligations.—
Virginia La Torre Jeker,
Forbes.com,
9 Sep. 2025
-
But a district court issued injunctions requiring his administration to meet certain financial obligations related to foreign aid.—
Shane Croucher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Ever since, as the Taliban returned to power, once again issuing edicts to suppress women and girls, the clinic and its 34-year-old midwife Atifa have continued to provide a lifeline for mothers and young children.—
Elise Blanchard,
Time,
21 Aug. 2025
-
One of the fundamental edicts of the [original Naked Gun creators] Zucker Brothers was you played against the comedy.—
Mia Galuppo,
HollywoodReporter,
11 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Fuller will continue to lead the church’s congregation and fulfill his responsibilities as the pulpit minister, church officials said.—
Shambhavi Rimal,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
3 Sep. 2025
-
But experts say that freedom comes with responsibilities.—
Deidre McPhillips,
CNN Money,
3 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
DeSantis has long styled Florida as a counterweight to federal public health directives.—
Gabe Whisnant,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 Sep. 2025
-
The European Union is to enforce several new directives aimed at increasing transparency in supply chains, such as the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive, the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive, as well as the EU Forced Labor Regulation.—
Martino Carrera,
Footwear News,
3 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
There are no hard and fast rules regarding the frequency of sweeping, as the floor care needs of each home depend on several different factors.—
Jolie Kerr,
Better Homes & Gardens,
9 Sep. 2025
-
Alfons Freij is a mobile defenceman with enough puck skill to impress, but whose decision-making needs improvement before being considered an NHL player.—
Murat Ates,
New York Times,
8 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Finding the best drugstore moisturizer should entail a little playtime, and that’s doctor’s orders.—
Jenny Berg,
Vogue,
4 Sep. 2025
-
Tuesday’s majority ruling directly challenges the Supreme Court to overrule its precedent, citing its recent orders via the emergency docket.—
Jack Birle,
The Washington Examiner,
4 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Kensington Palace confirmed that William will carry out royal duties Monday through Wednesday, directly coinciding with Harry’s planned public appearances.—
Simon Perry,
PEOPLE,
8 Sep. 2025
-
With the Extra gig, Hough will now be the second member of his family to take on hosting duties.—
Maureen Lee Lenker,
Entertainment Weekly,
8 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Imperatives.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/imperatives. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.
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