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
Nikos Lemanis, Forbes.com, 10 Apr. 2025
On Wednesday, two sources confirmed Darcy’s reporting to Vulture, saying multiple WBD division leaders had now told their teams to halt any travel that’s not imperative, rein in overtime spending, and freeze nonessential expense-account spending.
—Josef Adalian, Vulture, 10 Apr. 2025
Lea Veloso, StyleCaster, 9 Apr. 2025
To mitigate risks, organizations must treat data governance and cybersecurity as fundamental business imperatives, not afterthoughts.
—Jack McCullough, Forbes, 14 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for imperative
Adjective
There are many reasons why such an adjustment will be difficult to implement, but the change in B2B buyer behavior suggests that a reassessment is imperative.
—Nikos Lemanis, Forbes.com, 10 Apr. 2025
On Wednesday, two sources confirmed Darcy’s reporting to Vulture, saying multiple WBD division leaders had now told their teams to halt any travel that’s not imperative, rein in overtime spending, and freeze nonessential expense-account spending.
—Josef Adalian, Vulture, 10 Apr. 2025
Noun
Economic imperatives power moral decisions, unfortunately.
—Lea Veloso, StyleCaster, 9 Apr. 2025
To mitigate risks, organizations must treat data governance and cybersecurity as fundamental business imperatives, not afterthoughts.
—Jack McCullough, Forbes, 14 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for imperative
Recent Examples of Synonyms for imperative
Adjective
-
Democrats have made some inroads in North Carolina, with past Gov. Roy Cooper reportedly weighing a Senate challenge against vulnerable incumbent Sen. Thom Tillis (R-NC).—
Mabinty Quarshie,
The Washington Examiner,
26 Apr. 2025
-
The meeting took place just days after Paxton announced his run for the primary against incumbent Cornyn.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
During a 2020 heat wave, California’s grid operator was forced to institute rotating outages, a necessary step to protect the grid in California and neighboring states.—
Michael Wara,
Mercury News,
25 Apr. 2025
-
Though this is promising, additional evidence is necessary to confirm the potential role peptides may play in protection against sun damage.13 3.—
Cristina Mutchler,
Verywell Health,
25 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
This highlights the urgent need for tailored marketing support.—
Chris Gallagher,
USA Today,
19 Apr. 2025
-
The net result is a flurry of headlines and viral social media posts followed by an urgent platform update.—
Zak Doffman,
Forbes.com,
18 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Or, to extrapolate Anderson’s hacks to this example, creating a competition with a sales incentive would be significantly more impactful than barking instructions.—
Michelle Stansbury,
Forbes.com,
19 Apr. 2025
-
The groups provide resources such as application assistance and U.S. civics instruction, aiding the individuals in their journey to become citizens of the United States.—
Filip Timotija,
The Hill,
18 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
This idea, that Israel’s conduct in Gaza is in line with the U.S. military’s understanding of its own legal obligations, has become the general consensus among American military lawyers and their allies in the academy in recent years.—
Colin Jones,
New Yorker,
25 Apr. 2025
-
The masters of ballyhoo chopped it up on the delicate handling of awards campaigns, the elusiveness of Gen Z consumers and how marketing around blockbusters and franchises is now a year-round obligation to keep fans engaged and interested.—
Cynthia Littleton,
Variety,
25 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
White children also had fewer days from termination of parental rights to adoption finalization, a required step in the adoption process, with an average time of 273.5 days.—
Cheyanne M. Daniels,
The Hill,
24 Apr. 2025
-
So these are cases in which there is no response from disclosure in the first place by the required statutory deadlines to administratively appeal.—
Tax Notes Staff,
Forbes.com,
22 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Understanding and regulating the trade in shark and ray meat is no longer optional but essential.—
Melissa Cristina Márquez,
Forbes.com,
22 Apr. 2025
-
Every child in New York deserves the chance to learn basic literacy, numeracy, science, and civics — skills essential for participating in society, holding a job, and fulfilling civic duties like voting or serving on a jury.—
David Bloomfield,
New York Daily News,
22 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
The acute need for companies with this level of in-depth warmth and empathy for their clients drives ITS to expand its horizon.—
William Mullane,
USA Today,
19 Apr. 2025
-
The agency recalled that between 2022 and 2024, around 60% of annual admissions for severe acute malnutrition occurred during the rainy season, meaning that up to 462,000 children could be affected this year if the trend holds.—
Dr. Ewelina U. Ochab,
Forbes.com,
19 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Imperative.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/imperative. Accessed 30 Apr. 2025.
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