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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

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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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 imperatives The commercial imperatives on OpenAI and Anthropic are very different from the commercial imperatives for Google. — Nilay Patel, The Verge, 26 Oct. 2026 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

Synthetic mRNA delivers the instructions on these specific targets, allowing the body to present them to immune cells.

— Mike McRae October 25, New Atlas, 26 Oct. 2026
Believing her daughter’s life was on the line, Del Mastro followed the caller’s instructions for five hours.

— Muskaan Arshad, Fortune, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of instructions

Noun

Before signing an agreement, prospective franchisees receive a franchise disclosure document (FDD), which details the costs, obligations, and risks of operating the business.

— Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 27 Oct. 2026
At the same time, local pension systems and other long-term obligations are structured in ways that obscure the true cost.

— Judi Willard, Baltimore Sun, 27 Oct. 2026

Definition of obligations

Noun

In the years that followed, predatory land purchases, restrictive edicts, and forced displacement further diminished their ranks.

— Jason Motlagh, Rolling Stone, 22 Oct. 2026
Pro teams also tend to follow league edicts, especially since teams and their owners are contractually bound to their leagues.

— Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of edicts

Noun

In counties where there’s one or the other, the responsibilities are often combined.

— Natalie Jones, Baltimore Sun, 28 Oct. 2026
Boards of Education have significant responsibilities involving policy, educational priorities, budgets, and fiscal oversight.

— R. Eric Thomas, Chicago Tribune, 28 Oct. 2026

Definition of responsibilities

Noun

State agencies like the Florida Highway Patrol have aggressively pursued ICE directives.

— Syra Ortiz Blanes, Miami Herald, 27 Oct. 2026
Aurora Police Chief Todd Chamberlain concluded that Olson violated two department directives, including rules governing conduct unbecoming an officer and conduct toward fellow employees.

— Brian Maass, CBS News, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of directives

Noun

But the Workers’ Party (PT) leader, who was accused of arrogance and of failing to understand the needs of young gig-economy workers, shook up his strategy, said Igor Gielow in Folha de São Paulo.

— The Week UK, TheWeek, 31 Oct. 2026
Lakshmana across Ramayana traditions Just as the Ramayana has been told in several ways across traditions, Lakshmana’s story has also continued to adapt and evolve according to the needs of the region or time.

— Tamanna Nangia, Encyclopedia Britannica, 30 Oct. 2026

Definition of needs

Noun

For now, courts have blocked the most consequential provisions of both orders, primarily on the ground that the President has no lawful authority to impose them.

— Barton Gellman, New Yorker, 25 Oct. 2026
The company has not said whether the expansion will require more robots on Philadelphia sidewalks or whether its existing fleet will handle the additional orders.

— Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of orders

Noun

Backup running back Tyler Goodson is expected to handle kick return duties, while wide receiver Jonathan Mingo is expected to be the punt returner.

— Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Oct. 2026
In his absence, the duo of Damon Ferguson and La’Vell Wright have handled Pittsburgh’s duties in the backfield.

— Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 24 Oct. 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 31 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of imperatives

noun

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