IMPERATIVES Synonyms: 90 Similar and Opposite Words

imperatives

noun

plural of imperative

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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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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 imperatives Rarely do Washington’s strategic imperatives and humanitarian principles align so neatly. — Anna Nelson, Foreign Affairs, 4 Sep. 2026 Bringing the P&Ls together under single owners will reduce overlap, clarify accountability, and allow GMs to allocate capital more efficiently and effectively based on their strategic imperatives. — Bloomberg, Mercury News, 2 Sep. 2026 Reinforce the importance of Corporate Taste and Capability as organizational imperatives to continue to maintain. — Nisha Talagala, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2026 The writers also cited Disney’s acquisition of 21st Century Fox assets, arguing that Fox’s independent creative voice has essentially been subsumed by Disney’s corporate imperatives. — Gene Maddaus, Variety, 22 July 2026 Further, state leaders realize that the nation’s economic imperatives and our broader aspirations for education are two sides of the same coin. — Tim Knowles, Fortune, 8 July 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for imperatives

Noun

How could lay people, in light of these instructions, come to a unanimous conclusion as to what Clancy was thinking?

— Richard E. Vatz, Baltimore Sun, 6 Sep. 2026
The Moon squares structured Saturn, making unclear emails, shifting responsibilities, or poorly explained instructions especially frustrating.

— Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 6 Sep. 2026

Definition of instructions

Noun

Warranty obligations, supply chain disruption, contractual risks, reputational costs and other company-specific exposures may come with limited capacity, restrictive terms or pricing that makes conventional transfer unattractive.

— Randy Sadler, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2026
Bankruptcy could also put the district’s collective bargaining agreements at risk and potentially interfere with pension obligations.

— Chaewon Chung, Sacbee.com, 14 Sep. 2026

Definition of obligations

Noun

The film by and large follows the edicts of Iranian neorealism, with unobtrusive observations and a naturalistic soundscape.

— Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 11 Sep. 2026
Many believe Beijing perceived Tung as a loyalist who would obey the Communist leadership’s edicts.

— Kanis Leung, Los Angeles Times, 8 Sep. 2026

Definition of edicts

Noun

The president has signed directives to change the names of geographic areas including the Gulf of Mexico to Gulf of America and, more recently, Lake Ontario to Lake of America.

— Melina Khan, USA Today, 16 Sep. 2026
Conflicting directives To some extent, the Spanish government has been forced to act slowly.

— Colette Davidson, Christian Science Monitor, 13 Sep. 2026

Definition of directives

Noun

While intended to shield ordinary consumers and blunt public backlash, the move significantly increases operational costs for data centers, further driving up project financing needs.

— , CNBC, 18 Sep. 2026
The fulfillment of basic needs also factors into recovery, the authors added, as do enhancements or improvements in social support, spirituality, physical and mental health, and other aspects of well-being.

— Kristen Rogers, CNN Money, 18 Sep. 2026

Definition of needs

Noun

At the previous race in Zandvoort last month, Ferrari didn’t issue team orders to swap its drivers at a critical late moment, where Leclerc was leading Hamilton but the Briton was faster on a different tire strategy.

— Madeline Coleman, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026
Puroway If all goes to plan, orders are slated to ship worldwide in November, and delivery costs will be confirmed based on your region once the campaign ends ($8 per order in the US and EU).

— Abhimanyu Ghoshal, New Atlas, 8 Sep. 2026

Definition of orders

Noun

As these tasks fell outside the scope of the employees' official duties, the directive amounted to a violation of ethical standards, the report concluded.

— Andrea Hsu, NPR, 4 Sep. 2026
One of this season’s major storylines is Gallagher juggling his bosun duties on the yacht while trying to be present for Cameron and their newborn son, who were living nearby in Croatia.

— Cheyenne Roundtree, Rolling Stone, 4 Sep. 2026

Definition of duties

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imperative

imperatives

imperceptible

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“Imperatives.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/imperatives. Accessed 19 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of imperatives

noun

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