1
as in incumbent
forcing one's compliance or participation by or as if by law
reporting signs of physical abuse is now an imperative duty for hospital and school personnel
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in necessary
impossible to do without
proper equipment is imperative for the success of this chemical experiment
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in urgent
needing immediate attention
an imperative need for medical supplies in the earthquake-ravaged country
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in instruction
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in obligation
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 imperative
Alex Zaragoza, Los Angeles Times, 14 Feb. 2025
Understanding that all technology, no matter how impressive or sophisticated, has its limits is imperative to success.
—Chris Gallagher, USA TODAY, 13 Feb. 2025
David Koranyi, TIME, 14 Feb. 2025
To European ears, it was probably blotted out by what came soon after:
Safeguarding European security must be an imperative for European members of NATO.
—Eliot A. Cohen, The Atlantic, 13 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for imperative
Adjective
But when considering the Mexican band’s impact on Latin music, as well as the Trump administration’s increasing crackdowns on immigrants in the United States, their inclusion is imperative.
—Alex Zaragoza, Los Angeles Times, 14 Feb. 2025
Understanding that all technology, no matter how impressive or sophisticated, has its limits is imperative to success.
—Chris Gallagher, USA TODAY, 13 Feb. 2025
Noun
The need for humanitarian aid is a moral and strategic imperative to keep America free and safe—and the hope for a more democratic world alive.
—David Koranyi, TIME, 14 Feb. 2025
To European ears, it was probably blotted out by what came soon after:
Safeguarding European security must be an imperative for European members of NATO.
—Eliot A. Cohen, The Atlantic, 13 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for imperative
Recent Examples of Synonyms for imperative
Adjective
-
The Homer Township Reset slate, a group of Republicans challenging the incumbent township administration, was leading by a large margin Tuesday night in the Homer Township Republican primary after all precincts reported, according to unofficial results.—
Michelle Mullins,
Chicago Tribune,
26 Feb. 2025
-
The district has a five-point lean to Republicans but incumbent Rep. Scott Perry won by just 5,100 votes.—
Philip Elliott,
TIME,
25 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
No executions have been carried out in Louisiana since 2010 due to the state’s struggles to get the drugs necessary for lethal injection and scant political will (Landry’s predecessor, Democratic Gov. John Bel Edwards, was opposed to the death penalty).—
Dakin Andone,
CNN,
24 Feb. 2025
-
Ownership has shown a willingness to swing big when necessary, and the team has assets to offer the Blues.—
Jeremy Rutherford,
The Athletic,
24 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
Kevin Lamarque/Reuters A federal judge in Washington Monday appeared inclined to deny an urgent request to temporarily block Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency from firing employees or accessing sensitive records at half dozen federal departments.—
Mike Levine,
ABC News,
17 Feb. 2025
-
Despite differing political approaches, one thing is clear: New Mexico is facing an urgent crisis, and leaders across the political spectrum will need to find common ground to prevent further loss of life while navigating around Trump's plans to carry out large-scale mass deportations.—
Josh Hammer,
Newsweek,
17 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
The instructions said the test would take 20 minutes and require a pack of lancets.—
Olga Khazan,
The Atlantic,
18 Feb. 2025
-
In the Fort Worth Independent School District and across Texas, conversations about literacy instruction have largely focused on the early grades.—
Silas Allen,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
18 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
In fact, the plan that was presented was the most conservative strategy given the city’s outstanding general obligation debt.—
Pat Dowell,
Chicago Tribune,
24 Feb. 2025
-
Without a binding state law, agencies are under no formal obligation to change their official language — and changing every reference on Texas’ multiple state agency websites could take a while.—
Tiffani Jackson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
21 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
Nvidia is still working on the certification process for Samsung Electronics Co.’s high-bandwidth memory chips, a final required step before the Korean company can begin supplying a component essential to training AI platforms.—
Jim Cramer,
CNBC,
21 Feb. 2025
-
But his dramatic head coaching success demonstrates, once again, that there’s no required background for a successful leader.—
Michael Peregrine,
Forbes,
27 Nov. 2024
Adjective
-
Nanette came at the height of the #MeToo movement and immediately following the first election of Donald Trump, but its themes contain a degree of universality that make the special just as essential a watch now as eight years ago.—
Will DiGravio,
TIME,
21 Feb. 2025
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Understanding how content creation, marketplace trends and changing consumer behavior intersect is essential for success in this new era of product search.—
Yuriy Boykiv,
Forbes,
21 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
Even against the background of the L.A. carnage, Australia’s experience is undeniably more acute.—
Charlie Campbell / Melbourne and Canberra,
TIME,
19 Feb. 2025
-
Polymicrobial infections are acute and chronic diseases that can be caused by a combination of viruses, bacteria, fungi and parasites, according to the US National Insititutes of Health.—
Antonia Mortensen,
CNN,
17 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Imperative.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/imperative. Accessed 4 Mar. 2025.
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