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
Relevance
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
That convergence of national security imperatives and development goals, the World Bank added, could accelerate economic growth in developing economies by expanding access to affordable power and reducing exposure to commodity price shocks.
—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
12 June 2026
Unfortunately, when new imperatives are issued absent of a strategy – a shared goal, clear communication, and team supports – implementation is fragmented and reinforces the functional siloes that already exist.
—
Shani Harmon,
Forbes.com,
28 May 2026
Efforts to strengthen domestic supply chains, upgrade advanced manufacturing, and invest heavily in strategic technologies, from cutting-edge semiconductors to next-generation 6G connectivity, are framed not merely as economic initiatives, but as imperatives of national security.
—
Yu Jie,
Time,
13 May 2026
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
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
12 June 2026
Unfortunately, when new imperatives are issued absent of a strategy – a shared goal, clear communication, and team supports – implementation is fragmented and reinforces the functional siloes that already exist.
—
Shani Harmon,
Forbes.com,
28 May 2026
Efforts to strengthen domestic supply chains, upgrade advanced manufacturing, and invest heavily in strategic technologies, from cutting-edge semiconductors to next-generation 6G connectivity, are framed not merely as economic initiatives, but as imperatives of national security.
—
Yu Jie,
Time,
13 May 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for imperatives
Noun
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For large populations, use a product containing spinosad, bifenthrin or Bacillius thurgiensis, according to label instructions.
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The Court also decided on Monday not to grant a retrial to a man convicted in a notorious decades-old cold case, reversing a decision that determined the jurors who convicted Pedro Hernandez of killing Etan Patz more than 40 years ago received improper instructions.
Noun
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From there, aspiring digital nomads should research countries offering remote-work visas, understand tax obligations, develop a realistic travel budget and assemble a technology setup that supports uninterrupted productivity.
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Critics, particularly in the technology sector, argue the measure could force entrepreneurs and investors to sell assets to meet tax obligations, potentially disrupting businesses and discouraging investment.
Noun
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Getty Images for Ascot Racecourse The highly agile Getty shooter Alan Crowhurst has done us a great favor by bringing concrete cloakroom evidence of the many social and administrative challenges that the (famous) Royal Ascot costume edicts require in order to be properly met.
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The age of the Germanic male genius delivering edicts from on high has run its course.
Noun
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Certification meets robotics Industry groups view certification as becoming increasingly important as autonomous machines take on more responsibilities in industrial settings.
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While his professional responsibilities continue to grow, Ronan remains focused on the human side of recovery.
Noun
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The attorneys general challenged several of its directives, including a provision that required state and local officials to collect proof of citizenship from vote-by-mail applicants.
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Following two landmark rulings from the state’s high court affirming the new maps, as well as directives from Missouri’s secretary of state and attorney general, local election boards, including the KCEB, prepared August ballots to account for the changes to voters’ districts.
Noun
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District officials said staffing and budget decisions are made at the school and department level by building and department leaders based on the needs of individual schools and departments.
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Some put it toward their general budgets, while others target specific needs.
Noun
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EarthJustice alleged that the orders override decisions made in the interest of customers by power companies, grid operators and state utility regulators to retire the plants, according to Post-Tribune archives.
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Engineers then handed the satellite over to Firefly Aerospace, which integrated the payload with its Alpha rocket and successfully launched it just 27 hours after receiving orders from the Space Force.
Noun
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Nonetheless, he is made king and often found eschewing his royal duties in favor of visiting brothels or hanging out with those who work for him.
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During the draft combine, Peterson voiced an eagerness to return to on-ball duties in the NBA.
Cite this Entry
“Imperatives.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/imperatives. Accessed 27 Jun. 2026.
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