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
Unlike many slow-moving urban mammoths, this could be a model for how to integrate local desires with capitalist imperatives to deliver your friendly neighborhood megaproject.
—
Justin Davidson, Curbed, 10 Feb. 2026
For firms seeking success in today’s high-pressure market, there are a few core imperatives.
—Abdulla Belhoul, Fortune, 4 Feb. 2026
Today, nuclear is firmly back on the global energy agenda, driven by the dual imperatives of energy security and climate goals.
—Scott Montgomery, Forbes.com, 30 Jan. 2026
This past year also was elevated by the success that the league’s TV partners had in harnessing the lure of live game coverage to drive larger corporate imperatives — namely, building up the streaming platforms that represent the future for the parent companies of NBC, CBS, ESPN/ABC and Fox.
—Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 28 Jan. 2026
Karoline Leavitt, the White House press secretary, presides over the space, transmitting the spleen and the constantly shifting imperatives of the President.
—Vinson Cunningham, New Yorker, 24 Jan. 2026
Who knows the reasons for this choice—band dynamics are a psychedelic kaleidoscope of competing imperatives—but whatever the case, by 2003’s Dear Catastrophe Waitress, Murdoch had been largely restored to creative primacy, on both that record and The Life Pursuit.
—Elizabeth Nelson, Pitchfork, 22 Jan. 2026
The meeting comes as the president reignites his push to take control of Greenland, citing national security imperatives.
—Jared Gans, The Hill, 14 Jan. 2026
There is a recently burgeoning genre of documentaries — usually either celebrity or true crime in focus — driven not by aesthetic or storytelling imperatives but by (self-)promotional machinery.
—Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 30 Dec. 2025
Justin Davidson, Curbed, 10 Feb. 2026
For firms seeking success in today’s high-pressure market, there are a few core imperatives.
—Abdulla Belhoul, Fortune, 4 Feb. 2026
Today, nuclear is firmly back on the global energy agenda, driven by the dual imperatives of energy security and climate goals.
—Scott Montgomery, Forbes.com, 30 Jan. 2026
This past year also was elevated by the success that the league’s TV partners had in harnessing the lure of live game coverage to drive larger corporate imperatives — namely, building up the streaming platforms that represent the future for the parent companies of NBC, CBS, ESPN/ABC and Fox.
—Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 28 Jan. 2026
Karoline Leavitt, the White House press secretary, presides over the space, transmitting the spleen and the constantly shifting imperatives of the President.
—Vinson Cunningham, New Yorker, 24 Jan. 2026
Who knows the reasons for this choice—band dynamics are a psychedelic kaleidoscope of competing imperatives—but whatever the case, by 2003’s Dear Catastrophe Waitress, Murdoch had been largely restored to creative primacy, on both that record and The Life Pursuit.
—Elizabeth Nelson, Pitchfork, 22 Jan. 2026
The meeting comes as the president reignites his push to take control of Greenland, citing national security imperatives.
—Jared Gans, The Hill, 14 Jan. 2026
There is a recently burgeoning genre of documentaries — usually either celebrity or true crime in focus — driven not by aesthetic or storytelling imperatives but by (self-)promotional machinery.
—Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 30 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for imperatives
Noun
-
Those interested can find instructions for submitting a proposal here.—
Christa Swanson,
CBS News,
9 Feb. 2026
-
Students who ride the bus will be released directly from the school once the scene is deemed safe, while parents picking up their children are advised to wait for further instructions.—
Bonny Chu,
FOXNews.com,
9 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
To strengthen the economy, Texas must rein in local spending, increase transparency, expand audits of cities, counties, and universities, and consider local spending caps so taxpayers aren’t saddled with unsustainable obligations.—
Eleanor Dearman,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
14 Feb. 2026
-
On a 2009 episode of The Rachel Zoe Project, the stylist’s last-minute work obligations threw a wrench in her plans with her then-husband, Rodger Berman.—
Hannah Jackson,
Vogue,
14 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Covid-19 bred doubt about government edicts and skepticism about science, provoking an existential battle for truth.—
Richard Edelman,
Time,
18 Jan. 2026
-
Trump edicts weigh on stocks this week Geopolitical risks have weighed on investor sentiment this week.—
Pia Singh,
CNBC,
14 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
One of the key responsibilities Warren taught his pupils was how to show restraint, according to Knox.—
Everett Eaton,
jsonline.com,
10 Feb. 2026
-
As a father, homeowner and small business owner, Gabrielyan spoke of his financial responsibilities — and not only to his own family, but to three employees and their families, whose livelihoods depend on the paychecks from him.—
Linh Tat,
Daily News,
8 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Estates without clear directives can be subject to lengthy and expensive probate court proceedings, which can consume up to 10% of an estate's value and take months or even years to resolve, Childfree Trust said in its report.—
Medora Lee,
USA Today,
4 Feb. 2026
-
Gabbard said the president did not ask any questions and did not issue any directives.—
Melissa Quinn,
CBS News,
3 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
CultureCon offers free scholarship tickets to students with financial needs and also partners with colleges to offer free admission.—
Jay Stahl,
USA Today,
14 Feb. 2026
-
Our representatives need to speak out more forcefully to ensure that the people’s needs are heard and acted upon.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
14 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Others who were detained, Brooks Jimenez said, were asylum seekers arriving at the local ICE office for routine check-ins to comply with their supervision orders.—
Nuria Martinez-Keel,
Oklahoma Voice,
10 Feb. 2026
-
Together, dozens of self-driving robots have already logged more than 29,000 sidewalk miles and delivered nearly 28,000 food orders, according to city statistics.—
Robert Channick,
Chicago Tribune,
9 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Over the course of her career, Karen Powers worked in the offices of three State Farm agents as a kind of office manager with, eventually, duties of selling insurance herself.—
J.C. Hallman,
Oklahoman,
10 Feb. 2026
-
Hyundai Motor Group has confirmed deployment at the Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America by 2028, where initial duties will involve parts sequencing before expanding into full component assembly by 2030.—
Jijo Malayil,
Interesting Engineering,
9 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Imperatives.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/imperatives. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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