the imperative
noun
grammar
: the form that a verb or sentence has when it is expressing a command
"Eat your spinach!" is in the imperative.
Examples of the imperative in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Ultimately, the Sora controversy is a microcosm of the broader challenges facing the AI industry: how to balance the pursuit of progress with the imperative to honor and protect the human labor that underpins it.
—
Moin Roberts-Islam, Forbes, 26 Nov. 2024
Christ emphasized the imperative: Feed and clothe the least of these brothers and sisters.
—Los Angeles Times, 14 Sep. 2024
The core of the debate centers on balancing the drive for innovation and consumer empowerment with the imperative of safeguarding sensitive financial information and ensuring robust security measures.
—Nizan Geslevich Packin, Forbes, 25 Oct. 2024
Moreover, reading Powers in this more difficult, demanding way affirms the imperative that Literature—recalcitrant in its ideas, characters, and storylines—should invite and sustain more of and from its readers.
—Randy Boyagoda, The Atlantic, 17 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for the imperative 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Moin Roberts-Islam, Forbes, 26 Nov. 2024
Christ emphasized the imperative: Feed and clothe the least of these brothers and sisters.
—Los Angeles Times, 14 Sep. 2024
The core of the debate centers on balancing the drive for innovation and consumer empowerment with the imperative of safeguarding sensitive financial information and ensuring robust security measures.
—Nizan Geslevich Packin, Forbes, 25 Oct. 2024
Moreover, reading Powers in this more difficult, demanding way affirms the imperative that Literature—recalcitrant in its ideas, characters, and storylines—should invite and sustain more of and from its readers.
—Randy Boyagoda, The Atlantic, 17 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for the imperative
Dictionary Entries Near the imperative
Cite this Entry
“The imperative.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/the%20imperative. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share