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
Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 11 Aug. 2025
Giving the workers — who have been the backbone of the American economy for centuries — a share in the profits will only become more imperative to stave off revolution when AI comes for whole industries.
—Jove Oliver, New York Daily News, 10 Aug. 2025
Lyssanoel Frater, USA Today, 5 Aug. 2025
The report showed that 77 percent view global brand building as a strategic imperative, and two-thirds are even willing to sacrifice some profit margin in favor of export growth.
—Kate Nishimura, Sourcing Journal, 5 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for imperative
Adjective
An avid dancer and the founder of the Debbie Allen Dance Academy, the Emmy Award-winner has always prioritized community as an imperative component of our collective mental health.
—Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 11 Aug. 2025
Giving the workers — who have been the backbone of the American economy for centuries — a share in the profits will only become more imperative to stave off revolution when AI comes for whole industries.
—Jove Oliver, New York Daily News, 10 Aug. 2025
Noun
Mason often leads workshops, presentations, and internal training for large primes, targeting supplier diversity as both a moral and business imperative.
—Lyssanoel Frater, USA Today, 5 Aug. 2025
The report showed that 77 percent view global brand building as a strategic imperative, and two-thirds are even willing to sacrifice some profit margin in favor of export growth.
—Kate Nishimura, Sourcing Journal, 5 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for imperative
Recent Examples of Synonyms for imperative
Adjective
-
The Democratic mayoral candidate who stunned the city's political establishment by toppling former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo for the nomination and has shaken up social media feeds, announced the scavenger hunt in a Saturday video, kicking it off with a jab at incumbent Mayor Eric Adams.—
Mandy Taheri,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 Aug. 2025
-
The incumbent president’s party usually loses seats in the midterms.—
Jim Vertuno,
Chicago Tribune,
23 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Nelson and Cavell questioned why rule changes were necessary if Woodward already removed them from the committee positions.—
Dave Boucher,
Freep.com,
24 Aug. 2025
-
At 88% of all kindergartners vaccinated, Ohio falls below the 95% herd immunity that is generally considered to be necessary for a community to stay safe from measles.—
Elizabeth B. Kim,
The Enquirer,
23 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Sabrina Carpenter sends a disco invite to a responsible guy on a sweet single from her new Man’s Best Friend, Hayley Williams falls through the sky on a sleek, urgent gem off her new Ego Death at a Bachelorette Party, and Alabama Shakes return with their first new song in over a decade.—
Rolling Stone,
Rolling Stone,
29 Aug. 2025
-
These questions are particularly urgent for international students at U.S. universities, as the Trump administration has moved to revoke and restrict thousands of international student visas.—
Christopher Rim,
Forbes.com,
29 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
For instance, the Breeze comforter is not designed for washing machines, and the instructions say to spot clean, or dry-clean when needed.—
Yelena Moroz Alpert,
Architectural Digest,
29 Aug. 2025
-
Since the spaghetti cooks twice — first in boiling water and then in the oven — cook it to al dente when following the package instructions.—
Robin Miller,
AZCentral.com,
29 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
People of all ages can be at risk of sitting too much and not getting enough movement due to school, work, home, and other obligations.—
Heidi Moawad,
Verywell Health,
23 Aug. 2025
-
For instance, the budget eliminates payments to reduce the state’s ever-growing unfunded obligations for retiree health care which reached $91.5 billion, up $6.3 billion from a year earlier, Controller Malia Cohen recently revealed.—
Dan Walters,
Mercury News,
22 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Even under this more limited framework, employers would need to carefully track where and how interactive systems are used and ensure that required disclosures are delivered clearly and consistently.—
Alonzo Martinez,
Forbes.com,
22 Aug. 2025
-
For the 2024-25 school year, a record share of incoming kindergartners had an exemption for a required vaccine, most often for personal or religious reasons, CDC data shows.—
Deidre McPhillips,
CNN Money,
18 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Reading is essential for kids A helpful step to raising readers is being a reader yourself, according to Cremin.—
Madeline Holcombe,
CNN Money,
20 Aug. 2025
-
This skillset is essential for strategic vision, market and competitive analysis and understanding how all the dynamic pieces and parts of your business can and should come together to thrive.—
Dr. Eric George,
Forbes.com,
20 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Officials did not provide information on the person’s condition or whether they were hospitalized or had underlying health conditions, common among those with acute symptoms of West Nile.—
Darrell Smith,
Sacbee.com,
29 Aug. 2025
-
These include having recurrent lung infections like acute bronchitis or pneumonia, new or worse shortness of breath, a cough that brings up mucus and phlegm, wheezing, chest tightness and fatigue.—
Katia Hetter,
CNN Money,
28 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Imperative.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/imperative. Accessed 3 Sep. 2025.
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