imperative

1 of 2

adjective

im·per·a·tive im-ˈper-ə-tiv How to pronounce imperative (audio)

-ˈpe-rə-

: not to be avoided or evaded : necessary

an imperative duty

: of, relating to, or constituting the grammatical mood that expresses the will to influence the behavior of another

: expressive of a command, entreaty, or exhortation

: having power to restrain, control, and direct

imperatively adverb

imperativeness noun

imperative

2 of 2

noun

: something that is imperative (see imperative entry 1): such as

: command, order

: rule, guide

: an obligatory act or duty

: an obligatory judgment or proposition

: the grammatical mood that expresses the will to influence the behavior of another or a verb form or verbal phrase expressing it

Example Sentences

Adjective … I have begun to feel each time as if I am mutilating my antennae (which is how Rastafarians, among others, think of hair) and attenuating my power. It seems imperative not to cut my hair anymore.

Alice Walker, Living by the Word, (1981) 1988 This strange and distorted form of breathing could be interrupted for a minute or two by a strong effort of will, but would then resume its bizarre and imperative character.

Oliver Sacks, Awakenings, 1973 We had a long and interesting evening with the Katzenbachs. He and Lyndon discussed the imperative need to make Washington a law-abiding city and how to go about it.

Lady Bird Johnson 27 Jan. 1965, A White House Diary, 1970 “Eat your spinach!” is an imperative sentence. “Help” in the sentence “Help me!” is an imperative verb. a verb in the imperative mood People resented his imperative tone of voice. Noun Ellroy has got to be the only writer who still uses "dig" as an imperative …

Laura Miller, New York Times Book Review, 20 May 2001 Indeed, under pressure from a new way of life in which radiant heat from woodburning stoves must circulate unimpeded by dividers, virtually every house with a chimney today has abandoned the closed-door imperative of the high-technology kitchen.

Maxine Kumin, In Deep, 1987 "Maturity" had been a code word … for marriage and settling down; "growth" implied a plurality of legitimate options, if not a positive imperative to keep moving from one insight or experience to the next.

Barbara Ehrenreich, New York Times Magazine, 20 May 1984 She considers it a moral imperative to help people in need. “Eat your spinach!” is in the imperative. “Go” and “buy” are imperatives in the sentence “Please go to the store and buy some milk.” See More

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

The school board members must set the tone to make this imperative a reality.

Renata Cló, The Arizona Republic, 14 Sep. 2022 The new city was closer to Kenosha and her parents, which became imperative.

Quinn Clark, Journal Sentinel, 9 Sep. 2022 Beyond the steps taken to cope with climate change, marketing challenges may also lie ahead for wineries, and some advocates of sustainable wine say consumer buy-in is imperative to broader action.

Hollie Stephens, Fortune, 5 Sep. 2022 Most business leaders treat website availability as a business imperative.

Mehdi Daoudi, Forbes, 26 Aug. 2022 Biden properly sees delivering relief to many of these borrowers as imperative.

Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 25 Aug. 2022 There is no greater imperative than to rapidly reduce greenhouse gas emissions to fight climate change.

James Freeman, WSJ, 24 Aug. 2022 Fitzpatrick said it’s imperative to preserve public trust in national security institutions.

Anchorage Daily News, 20 Aug. 2022 Derick Hall and Eku Leota are a dynamic duo at an imperative position for the Tigers.

al, 12 Aug. 2022

Noun

The resort’s restaurant, Clay, takes the local, seasonal imperative to heart.

WSJ, 14 Sep. 2022 Public safety: Sanitation is a public health imperative, not a luxury.

Jennifer Van Grove, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Aug. 2022 But around the turn of the 20th century, as the American footprint in the hemisphere expanded, Americans saw an imperative — and an opportunity.

New York Times, 20 May 2022 Investing in people’s success is not only our moral imperative, but also economically smart.

oregonlive, 29 Apr. 2022 That’s one reason upskilling and reskilling their current workforces have become such an imperative for many, and an emphasis that’s only likely to grow.

Jena Mcgregor, Forbes, 5 July 2022 Gender equality is not only a matter of human rights, justice, and fairness, but also a strategic imperative for the United States.

Melissa Mahtani, CNN, 23 June 2022 Meanwhile, in terms of replacing tobacco as an economic driver in Malawi—something Chinsinga agrees is an imperative for the country—current cannabis cultivation plans seem inadequate, the professor says.

Jeremy Kahn, Fortune, 2 June 2021 The investment underscores what Ryerson sees as an imperative to keep older adults engaged with the changing nature of work in the U.S., where people are increasingly working beyond the age of 65.

Colin Lodewick, Fortune, 28 Jan. 2022 See More

imperative 1 of 2

adjective

as in required

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

required
incumbent
mandatory
necessary
compulsory
urgent
needed
essential
indispensable
obligatory
requisite
forced
nonelective
insistent
peremptory
all-important
involuntary
persistent
demanded
pressing
enforced
coercive

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

optional
voluntary
unnecessary
elective
discretionary
unimportant
unwanted
dispensable
insignificant
chosen
inconsequential
unneeded
nonessential

as in essential

impossible to do without proper equipment is imperative for the success of this chemical experiment

Synonyms & Similar Words

essential
necessary
required
needed
integral
needful
vital
critical
important
crucial
indispensable
requisite
all-important
mandatory
prerequisite
compulsory
must-have
fundamental
key
basic
urgent
necessitous
of the essence
major
meaningful
obligatory
momentous
central
organic
insistent
substantial
significant
persistent
consequential
pressing
material
nonelective
weighty

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

unnecessary
needless
unimportant
dispensable
nonessential
unessential
inessential
superfluous
unwanted
external
insignificant
unneeded
extra
inconsequential
undesired
extraneous
excess
surplus

as in urgent

needing immediate attention an imperative need for medical supplies in the earthquake-ravaged country

Synonyms & Similar Words

urgent
acute
critical
compelling
pressing
emergent
dire
exigent
intense
crucial
instant
desperate
serious
crying
immediate
insistent
imperious
clamant
importunate
overriding
burning
vital
demanding
extreme
necessitous
dangerous
hazardous
precarious
perilous
life-or-death
severe
life-and-death
explosive
grave
unstable

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

trivial
unimportant
incidental
negligible
noncritical
minor
safe
nonurgent
stable
nonthreatening
low-pressure

imperative

2 of 2

noun

as in order

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

order
do
instruction
directive
edict
requirement
injunction
direction
commandment
dictate
command
demand
mandate
decree
word
behest
charge
law
rule
regulation
counterorder
prescription
countermand
precept
statute
ordinance
prescript

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

appeal
plea
petition
entreaty
urging
recommendation
proposal
suggestion

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

obligation
duty
responsibility
need
commitment
requirement
promise
burden
vow
do
constraint
office
pledge
must
pact
compulsion
devoir
charge
incumbency
arrangement
oath
payment
trust
word
compact
contract
setup
restraint
covenant
debt
force
prearrangement
coercion
engagement
reservation
tribute
appointment
onus
troth
duress

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

relief
stay
ease
grace
exemption
waiver
discharge
choice
alternative
postponement
option
release
selection
preference
loophole
pick

Synonym Chooser

Some common synonyms of imperative are domineering, imperious, masterful, and peremptory. While all these words mean "tending to impose one's will on others," imperative implies peremptoriness arising more from the urgency of the situation than from an inherent will to dominate.

an imperative appeal for assistance

The meanings of domineering and imperative largely overlap; however, domineering suggests an overbearing or arbitrary manner and an obstinate determination to enforce one's will.

children controlled by domineering parents

While the synonyms imperious and imperative are close in meaning, imperious implies a commanding nature or manner and often suggests arrogant assurance.

an imperious executive used to getting his own way

Although the words masterful and imperative have much in common, masterful implies a strong personality and ability to act authoritatively.

her masterful personality soon dominated the movement

While in some cases nearly identical to imperative, peremptory implies an abrupt dictatorial manner coupled with an unwillingness to brook disobedience or dissent.

given a peremptory dismissal

单词	imperative
释义	imperative 1 of 2 adjective im·per·a·tive im-ˈper-ə-tiv -ˈpe-rə- 1 : not to be avoided or evaded : necessary an imperative duty 2 a : of, relating to, or constituting the grammatical mood that expresses the will to influence the behavior of another b : expressive of a command, entreaty, or exhortation c : having power to restrain, control, and direct imperatively adverb imperativeness noun imperative 2 of 2 noun 1 : something that is imperative (see imperative entry 1): such as a : command, order b : rule, guide c : an obligatory act or duty d : an obligatory judgment or proposition 2 : the grammatical mood that expresses the will to influence the behavior of another or a verb form or verbal phrase expressing it Synonyms Adjective compulsory forced incumbent involuntary mandatory necessary nonelective obligatory peremptory required Noun behest charge command commandment decree dictate direction directive do edict injunction instruction order word See all Synonyms & Antonyms Example Sentences Adjective … I have begun to feel each time as if I am mutilating my antennae (which is how Rastafarians, among others, think of hair) and attenuating my power. It seems imperative not to cut my hair anymore. Alice Walker, Living by the Word, (1981) 1988 This strange and distorted form of breathing could be interrupted for a minute or two by a strong effort of will, but would then resume its bizarre and imperative character. Oliver Sacks, Awakenings, 1973 We had a long and interesting evening with the Katzenbachs. He and Lyndon discussed the imperative need to make Washington a law-abiding city and how to go about it. Lady Bird Johnson 27 Jan. 1965, A White House Diary, 1970 “Eat your spinach!” is an imperative sentence. “Help” in the sentence “Help me!” is an imperative verb. a verb in the imperative mood People resented his imperative tone of voice. Noun Ellroy has got to be the only writer who still uses "dig" as an imperative … Laura Miller, New York Times Book Review, 20 May 2001 Indeed, under pressure from a new way of life in which radiant heat from woodburning stoves must circulate unimpeded by dividers, virtually every house with a chimney today has abandoned the closed-door imperative of the high-technology kitchen. Maxine Kumin, In Deep, 1987 "Maturity" had been a code word … for marriage and settling down; "growth" implied a plurality of legitimate options, if not a positive imperative to keep moving from one insight or experience to the next. Barbara Ehrenreich, New York Times Magazine, 20 May 1984 She considers it a moral imperative to help people in need. “Eat your spinach!” is in the imperative. “Go” and “buy” are imperatives in the sentence “Please go to the store and buy some milk.” See More Recent Examples on the Web Adjective The school board members must set the tone to make this imperative a reality. Renata Cló, The Arizona Republic, 14 Sep. 2022 The new city was closer to Kenosha and her parents, which became imperative. Quinn Clark, Journal Sentinel, 9 Sep. 2022 Beyond the steps taken to cope with climate change, marketing challenges may also lie ahead for wineries, and some advocates of sustainable wine say consumer buy-in is imperative to broader action. Hollie Stephens, Fortune, 5 Sep. 2022 Most business leaders treat website availability as a business imperative. Mehdi Daoudi, Forbes, 26 Aug. 2022 Biden properly sees delivering relief to many of these borrowers as imperative. Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 25 Aug. 2022 There is no greater imperative than to rapidly reduce greenhouse gas emissions to fight climate change. James Freeman, WSJ, 24 Aug. 2022 Fitzpatrick said it’s imperative to preserve public trust in national security institutions. Anchorage Daily News, 20 Aug. 2022 Derick Hall and Eku Leota are a dynamic duo at an imperative position for the Tigers. al, 12 Aug. 2022 Noun The resort’s restaurant, Clay, takes the local, seasonal imperative to heart. WSJ, 14 Sep. 2022 Public safety: Sanitation is a public health imperative, not a luxury. Jennifer Van Grove, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Aug. 2022 But around the turn of the 20th century, as the American footprint in the hemisphere expanded, Americans saw an imperative — and an opportunity. New York Times, 20 May 2022 Investing in people’s success is not only our moral imperative, but also economically smart. oregonlive, 29 Apr. 2022 That’s one reason upskilling and reskilling their current workforces have become such an imperative for many, and an emphasis that’s only likely to grow. Jena Mcgregor, Forbes, 5 July 2022 Gender equality is not only a matter of human rights, justice, and fairness, but also a strategic imperative for the United States. Melissa Mahtani, CNN, 23 June 2022 Meanwhile, in terms of replacing tobacco as an economic driver in Malawi—something Chinsinga agrees is an imperative for the country—current cannabis cultivation plans seem inadequate, the professor says. Jeremy Kahn, Fortune, 2 June 2021 The investment underscores what Ryerson sees as an imperative to keep older adults engaged with the changing nature of work in the U.S., where people are increasingly working beyond the age of 65. Colin Lodewick, Fortune, 28 Jan. 2022 See More Word History Etymology Adjective Middle English imperatyf, borrowed from Late Latin imperātīvus, from Latin imperātus, past participle of imperāre "to give orders, command" + -īvus -ive — more at emperor Noun borrowed from Late Latin imperātīvus, noun derivative of imperātīvus imperative entry 1 First Known Use Adjective 15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2a Noun 1530, in the meaning defined at sense 2 Phrases Containing imperative categorical imperative the imperative categorical imperative the imperative Kids Definition imperative adjective im·per·a·tive im-ˈper-ə-tiv 1 : expressing a command, request, or strong encouragement "Come here!" is an imperative sentence. 2 : urgent sense 1 It is imperative that you get help. Medical Definition imperative adjective im·per·a·tive im-ˈper-ət-iv : eliciting a motor response an imperative stimulus imperative 1 of 2 adjective 1 as in required 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 required incumbent mandatory necessary compulsory urgent needed essential indispensable obligatory requisite forced nonelective insistent peremptory all-important involuntary persistent demanded pressing enforced coercive Antonyms & Near Antonyms optional voluntary unnecessary elective discretionary unimportant unwanted dispensable insignificant chosen inconsequential unneeded nonessential See More 2 as in essential impossible to do without proper equipment is imperative for the success of this chemical experiment Synonyms & Similar Words essential necessary required needed integral needful vital critical important crucial indispensable requisite all-important mandatory prerequisite compulsory must-have fundamental key basic urgent necessitous of the essence major meaningful obligatory momentous central organic insistent substantial significant persistent consequential pressing material nonelective weighty Antonyms & Near Antonyms unnecessary needless unimportant dispensable nonessential unessential inessential superfluous unwanted external insignificant unneeded extra inconsequential undesired extraneous excess surplus See More 3 as in urgent needing immediate attention an imperative need for medical supplies in the earthquake-ravaged country Synonyms & Similar Words urgent acute critical compelling pressing emergent dire exigent intense crucial instant desperate serious crying immediate insistent imperious clamant importunate overriding burning vital demanding extreme necessitous dangerous hazardous precarious perilous life-or-death severe life-and-death explosive grave unstable Antonyms & Near Antonyms trivial unimportant incidental negligible noncritical minor safe nonurgent stable nonthreatening low-pressure See More imperative 2 of 2 noun 1 as in order 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 order do instruction directive edict requirement injunction direction commandment dictate command demand mandate decree word behest charge law rule regulation counterorder prescription countermand precept statute ordinance prescript Antonyms & Near Antonyms appeal plea petition entreaty urging recommendation proposal suggestion See More 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 obligation duty responsibility need commitment requirement promise burden vow do constraint office pledge must pact compulsion devoir charge incumbency arrangement oath payment trust word compact contract setup restraint covenant debt force prearrangement coercion engagement reservation tribute appointment onus troth duress Antonyms & Near Antonyms relief stay ease grace exemption waiver discharge choice alternative postponement option release selection preference loophole pick See More Synonym Chooser Some common synonyms of imperative are domineering, imperious, masterful, and peremptory. While all these words mean "tending to impose one's will on others," imperative implies peremptoriness arising more from the urgency of the situation than from an inherent will to dominate. an imperative appeal for assistance The meanings of domineering and imperative largely overlap; however, domineering suggests an overbearing or arbitrary manner and an obstinate determination to enforce one's will. children controlled by domineering parents While the synonyms imperious and imperative are close in meaning, imperious implies a commanding nature or manner and often suggests arrogant assurance. an imperious executive used to getting his own way Although the words masterful and imperative have much in common, masterful implies a strong personality and ability to act authoritatively. her masterful personality soon dominated the movement While in some cases nearly identical to imperative, peremptory implies an abrupt dictatorial manner coupled with an unwillingness to brook disobedience or dissent. given a peremptory dismissal
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imperative

adjective

noun

Synonyms

Example Sentences

Word History

Phrases Containing imperative

Kids Definition

adjective

Medical Definition

adjective

adjective

noun

Synonym Chooser