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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of imperative
Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 29 Aug. 2025
That’s why having a good toothbrush is imperative for not only looking healthy and polished on the outside, but also for good oral health.
—Bestreviews, Mercury News, 29 Aug. 2025
Gisela Salim-Peyer, The Atlantic, 12 Sep. 2025
Other movies with fewer associated pop stars really need the boost of a weeping imperative.
—Joe Reid, Vulture, 12 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for imperative
Adjective
Thankfully, much of Northern California had a relatively mild summer compared to recent years, which Delfino said is imperative for the best development of the fruit’s natural sugars and tart flavors.
—Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 29 Aug. 2025
That’s why having a good toothbrush is imperative for not only looking healthy and polished on the outside, but also for good oral health.
—Bestreviews, Mercury News, 29 Aug. 2025
Noun
In the past, Machado had mostly framed supporting the Venezuelan democratic opposition as a moral imperative.
—Gisela Salim-Peyer, The Atlantic, 12 Sep. 2025
Other movies with fewer associated pop stars really need the boost of a weeping imperative.
—Joe Reid, Vulture, 12 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for imperative
Recent Examples of Synonyms for imperative
Adjective
-
Harris also had to run with a disgruntled incumbent president, who had been all but forced out of the race, looking over her shoulder.—
W. James Antle III,
The Washington Examiner,
12 Sep. 2025
-
The Garden State has traditionally leaned Democrat, with incumbent Governor Phil Murphy on the verge of completing his second term.—
Nick Mordowanec,
MSNBC Newsweek,
12 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Is Executive Order 14224 even necessary?—
Doug Melville,
Forbes.com,
15 Sep. 2025
-
The partial closure order was coordinated with the Fresno County Sheriff's Office, along with multiple local, state, and federal agency cooperators, to identify the minimum area necessary for the safety of firefighting resources and forest visitors.—
CA WILDFIRE BOT,
Sacbee.com,
14 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Poland has said that Russian drones attempted to violate its airspace again, only days after another encroachment prompted Warsaw to call on NATO to hold urgent security talks.—
Brendan Cole,
MSNBC Newsweek,
18 Sep. 2025
-
The need that fluoridated water was meant to address, critics say, isn’t as urgent.—
Anna Clark,
ProPublica,
18 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Each patient was given instructions to continue using the SPFs in the split-face study for the next four days, returning to the office every day for visual assessment.—
Megan McIntyre,
Allure,
16 Sep. 2025
-
Follow evacuation instructions without delay.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
15 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Similar American drone sales to the UAE and Qatar will likely proceed once Washington reinterprets its obligations under that 1987 treaty, and will probably exceed the number China has sold to the region to date.—
Paul Iddon,
Forbes.com,
14 Sep. 2025
-
Live records could also be a way of fulfilling a contractual obligation (too many examples to cite) or a way to mollify fans who were going to have to wait a while for another studio record (Fleetwood Mac’s 1980’s concert record, which bridged the gap between Tusk and Mirage).—
David Browne,
Rolling Stone,
13 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Shein fully complies with local regulations in France and pays all required taxes.—
Rhonda Richford,
Footwear News,
18 Sep. 2025
-
Fill in all the required information and then watch for your photo to be part of the online gallery.—
Christopher Kuhagen,
jsonline.com,
17 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Collaboration across the value chain is essential.—
Michaila Byrne,
MSNBC Newsweek,
18 Sep. 2025
-
Some of these minerals include those essential to the production of phones and computer chips.—
Rebecca Schneid,
Time,
17 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
In women, nerve issues or a cystocele (a type of pelvic organ prolapse, or dropped bladder) can alter flow, but acute urinary retention is much less common, affecting only about 3 in 100,000 women each year.—
Dr. Jamin Brahmbhatt,
CNN Money,
15 Sep. 2025
-
Kazakhstan’s president recognizes the acute competition for investors’ dollars.—
Mark Temnycky,
Forbes.com,
15 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Imperative.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/imperative. Accessed 20 Sep. 2025.
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